Minister defends axing in-person new parent classes

The Isle of Man's health minister has defended a decision to axe in-person new parent classes, in favour of moving them online.

It was announced that the parent craft education programme would go digital in September.

The course originally involved a tour of the Noble's Hospital maternity ward and included classes on labour preparation, newborn care, breastfeeding, and postnatal recovery.

MHK Joney Faragher said by making the course virtual, it removed people's opportunity for "valuable peer support".

Speaking in the House of Keys this week, Ms Faragher said the changes failed to recognise the "social and emotional support of meeting other parents".

She said there had been a "proven reduction in postpartum depression from peer support".

"I'm very close friends still with people I met on these classes when I was pregnant with my first-born, who has just turned 16," she added.

But Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian said the move was based around feedback to make the sessions more "accessible and more flexible" for new and expectant parents.

She said it meant "parents can access the sessions at any time, anywhere, allowing partners or family members to participate more easily".

"Parents can watch sessions at their own pace and revisit key topics as needed," she explained.

It would also mean anyone uncomfortable in groups settings could still access the resource, she said.

The online course included a virtual tour of the wards and included all the same topics as the in-person classes, she said.

Ms Christian confirmed the situation would be reviewed in six months.

But concerns were echoed by politicians, including Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett.

She said: "From personal experience, parent craft is much more than an online learning course."

And Ramsey member Lawrie Hooper, former health minister, said: "It seems like you've gone all or nothing here, it's gone entirely online."

Ms Christian reiterated the decision was made for "accessibility and convenience, flexibility and self-paced learning, inclusivity and continuity."

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