Call the Midwife: BBC series praised for storyline tackling cleft lip and palate

The episode sees Nurse Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby) borrow several medical textbooks to learn about the condition

Call the Midwife has received praised for its storyline featuring a baby born with cleft lip and cleft palate.

The drama, which currently takes place in the 1960s. sees new mother Betty Marwick (Lisa Ellis) become overwhelmed after the discovery that her child Kirk has been born with the condition.

A cleft lip describes an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose, while a cleft palate describes when the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose. Both can result in issues with feeding, speech, and hearing, while also causing frequent ear infections. The condition affects one in every 700 babies.

The episode sees Nurse Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby) borrow several medical textbooks to learn about the condition, in order to provide guidance and support for Betty. Kirk undergoes his first successful reconstructive surgery, with his father returning home to help care for him.

A spokesperson for CLAPA told the BBC: “The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) were delighted to see BBC’s Call the Midwife feature a baby with a cleft in Sunday’s episode. For many affected by cleft, this episode was deeply cathartic.”

"For parents, seeing these early moments reflected on screen was an affirmation of what they themselves had gone through - the shock, the concern, the coping with cruel comments and the feelings of guilt."

“The ongoing treatment and support available to families affected by cleft today is incredible compared to what baby Kirk and mum Betty will have received in the early 60s, but sadly there is still a dire need for greater awareness of cleft lip and palate so no-one is ever made to feel ostracised and isolated for something which can happen in any pregnancy.”

They added: “We cannot thank them [Call the Midwife] enough for shining a light on a condition that affects 1,200 new families every year.”

Viewers also joined in with their own praise for the series.

Call the Midwife airs on Sundays on BBC One at 8pm.