MUTU secures NHS contract for at-home postnatal programme
Programme aims to address growing gynaecology waitlist
Postnatal programme MUTU has announced that NHS patients in parts of the UK can now access its evidence-based digital platform to support their postnatal recovery.
The MUTU® System will be implemented by Medway and Swale NHS Women’s Health Hub with funding from the Kent and Medway Women’s Health budget, providing new mums in the region free access to proven support.
It comes at a time when almost a third of mothers experience long-term postpartum conditions which impact their well-being and quality of life.
Dr MaryAnn Ferreux, Chief Medical Officer at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex, highlighted the significance of the contract:
“We are thrilled that Medway Women’s Health Hub Valley has taken this forward-thinking step in postnatal care.
“This partnership proves that innovative, effective digital solutions can be implemented within the NHS. We hope this contract will inspire other primary care organisations and NHS trusts to follow suit, ensuring more women receive the support they need.”
Comprehensive support
The MUTU at-home online programme helps women strengthen their core, improve pelvic floor function and diastasis recti, address back pain and support overall postnatal recovery. It is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that includes education, movement guidance, and ongoing community support.
GP practices will offer MUTU to women who have given birth in the last 12 months, with a particular focus on those who cannot access face-to-face specialist physiotherapist support. Time-short mums only need to spend 12 minutes per day using the programme to see results.
With waiting times for gynaecology issues worsening in all parts of the UK, the programme provides much needed, accessible care for postnatal women.
Dr Satvinder Kaur Lall, Executive GP Partner Reach Healthcare and Clinical Lead Medway & Swale Women’s Health Hub, said:
“After a woman has given birth, she may experience pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and other bladder or bowel symptoms that currently face long waitlists for specialist care. While these referrals are necessary for many, we believe this programme is an excellent way to assist many women in alleviating or resolving these issues.
“MUTU can serve as a powerful tool in helping to reduce those wait times and support mothers in feeling strong again.”
The contract follows the successful independent evaluation by Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (Health Innovation KSS), which demonstrated MUTU’s effectiveness and cost-efficiency in addressing postpartum pelvic health issues. The evaluation provided the necessary evidence to support NHS adoption, setting a precedent for other healthcare regions.
For the evaluation, Health Innovation KSS commissioned their evaluation partners, Unity Insights, to look at the real-world implementation of MUTU within the NHS. Post-partum mothers displaying symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or urinary incontinence (UI) were referred to MUTU® System via GP referrals and physiotherapy referrals, as well as a self-pay cohort.
MUTU founder and CEO Wendy Powell said:
"Securing an NHS contract, where so many innovators struggle, has come down to persistence, partnership, and the right people championing change. At MUTU, we didn’t just present the evidence - we worked alongside the incredible clinical and innovation leads in the Primary Care Network (PCN) who recognised the urgent need for better postpartum care in an underserved group. Their belief in MUTU’s value, their persistence, and their determination to push for change were just as vital as ours in making this happen.
“We are proud to be setting a new precedent for postpartum care within the NHS.”