The work of midwives from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has once again been shortlisted for a prestigious national award and we will find out this evening whether they have been successful.
The work, which ensures that vulnerable families receive early help, support and input from midwives and other agencies involved in their care, has been shortlisted for the Royal College of Midwifery award for Excellence in Initiatives in Improving Public Health and Inequalities.
The midwives at Derriford Hospital recognised that vulnerable families were often referred late on in pregnancy to agencies who could provide for their support needs. This often caused distress and anxiety and sometimes a mistrust of both health and social care services.
Improved training of maternity and neonatal staff and better communication and documentation means that families are more prepared, better supported and involved in plans that are put in place.
Any concerns are communicated to families early in order that early intervention and engagement with other agencies can be facilitated, often preventing the need for intervention from social services.
Where social care services’ involvement is required this now happens earlier so there is no confusion for families or health care providers when the baby is born and plans can be implemented with minimal stress or anxiety for everyone involved.
Acting Head of Midwifery, Nicola MacPhail, said: “This is all about us realizing that by changing what we do and how we work, we can improve the support to pregnant women and their families and reduce the anxiety they experience”.
“The changes we have made have also benefited the staff involved. They have clearer pathways to follow and improved access to supervision and support. We are all very pleased that the work we have undertaken has been recognised at a national level“.
The team were shortlisted to the final three out of all the entries received by the Royal College of Midwives for the national award.
The midwives will find out whether they have won at an award ceremony on 25th January 2012 in London.