MSNI Briefing paper: Remote hospital working

Summary

The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation (MNSI) conducted a thematic review to explore the impact that remote hospital working can have on the provision of maternity and neonatal services.

Content

Healthcare access varies across England, and this can lead to health inequalities.

A review of 109 completed MNSI investigations found that geographical remoteness led to a complex operational environment and that a coordinated approach was needed to ensure safer maternity and neonatal care.

The review identified eight themes, several directly linked to a hospital's remote location:

• multidisciplinary team working
• staffing
• staff exposure to and familiarity with certain conditions
• equity of care, including the cost and practicality of travel
• the range of clinical services available locally
• emergency transfer, including transport by ferry, helicopter, and ambulance
• communication and information sharing between trusts
• antenatal care planning.

This briefing paper shares our evidence and insight and provides safety prompts to open up the conversation between remote and non-remote hospitals to help them work collaboratively.