A borough GP and women's health expert has called on maternity services to build trust with black, Asian and minority ethnic women.

Dr Anita Sharma said pregnant mothers are putting their faith in families and old traditions rather than accessing maternity services and has called on medics to close a "breach of trust".

Dr Sharma said there is a divide between black, Asian and minority ethnic women and doctors which could have profound consequences, including stillbirth and death from conditions such as sickle cell.

She said: "Studies have shown that these communities are at far greater risk than their white counterparts.

"While better information on services and encouragement to come forward earlier is beneficial, the answer is not as simple as that.

"The quality of midwifery is still dependent on postcodes and a misunderstanding of culture and communication has resulted in mums-to-be turning to their own parents and grandparents for advice.

"I am sure they receive compassion, but professional healthcare? No."

The GP's calls following the launch of a new website and toolkit, www.pregnancyscreeninggm.co.uk, which Dr Sharma said only illuminates the disconnect as the website is online and many people from disadvantaged communities have no access to the internet.

She said a "little more sensitivity and understanding" is needed, particularly when it comes to women's requests to see a female midwife.

"The whole pregnancy journey should be about choice and there are women who may have concerns about being seen by a male.

"We need to work through that, and whilst most of my colleagues are I believe sympathetic, some need to understand the emotional pain of miscarriage, for example."

Dr Sharma has set up her own charity, Endometriosis Awareness North, to address some of these health gaps and works to highlight some of the prejudices that women face within the health service.

She said that while neighbouring Cheshire and Merseyside have a "plethora of maternity choice campaigns", some of which she said are directly targeting black, Asian and minority ethnic women, Greater Manchester has none.