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Found 500 results
  1. News Article
    A senior coroner has accused Chelsea and Westminster Hospital of a cover-up over the death of a baby who died when midwives failed to act on clear signs that his mother was in distress. Elton Deutekom was pronounced dead 37 minutes after his birth in January 2022. During labour his mother had a placental abruption — when some or all of the placenta separates from the wall of the womb. This was not picked up by her care team, and Elton was starved of oxygen. Doctors at the west London hospital did not refer the incident to the coroner and wrongly told the NHS’s healthcare safety investigation branch (HSIB) that Elton had been stillborn and no investigation was required, an inquest into his death was told. It was not until his parents learnt of this anomaly in the records that an investigation was carried out by the HSIB, which uncovered serious failings in his care. Professor Fiona Wilcox, the senior coroner, said: “I need to say this on the record and in public — this feels like there has been an attempt at a cover-up.” She later repeated: “I am concerned there is an element of cover-up in this death. I will say it categorically.” Concluding that Elton had died from natural causes to which neglect contributed, the coroner said there had been “gross” failings in his care. She said that if the midwives had adequately monitored his heart rate, acknowledged his mother’s pain and recognised hypoxia — oxygen deficiency — he would have been delivered earlier and would have survived. Read full story (paywalled) Source: The Times, 21 November 2024
  2. News Article
    Bereaved parents have described maternity investigations carried out by a watchdog as “deeply flawed” after it failed to make recommendations to trusts in 182 cases of deaths and harm. The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations programme investigates certain cases of early neonatal deaths, stillbirths and severe brain injury in babies born at term following labour, alongside maternal deaths. Last year, it moved to the Care Quality Commission having previously been hosted by the Health Services Safety Investigation Branch. Now a Freedom of Information request has revealed a third (182) of 556 MNSI reports completed between April 2023 and March 2024 did not contain recommendations. Officials said in the 182 reports, none of the findings of the investigation contributed to the outcome for the mother or baby, and therefore no recommendations were made. However, Emily Barley, whose daughter Beatrice died during labour in 2022, said it was “very concerning” to see that so many investigations result in no safety recommendations at all. She added: “It is hard to believe that when a full-term baby dies or suffers a serious brain injury there is nothing for providers to learn. “I do not have any confidence in the MNSI, its investigations, or its conclusions. Having been through an MNSI investigation following the death of my daughter… it is clear to me the entire process is deeply flawed.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 25 November 2024
  3. News Article
    Women who have lost a baby often dislike the language used by medical professionals and would prefer the term “pregnancy loss” over “miscarriage”, research has found. More than six in 10 women (61%) who had lost a baby between 18 and 23 weeks of pregnancy said it was unacceptable for doctors, midwives and nurses to use the word “miscarriage”. Only 22% thought that was an acceptable way to refer to the loss they had suffered, even though that is the medical and legal definition in the UK of a baby who dies before reaching 24 weeks’ gestation. Large majorities also disapprove of “intrapartum foetal death” and “intrauterine death”. Four out of five (82%) women would prefer staff to use “pregnancy loss”, according to the research, which was led by Dr Beth Malory, a lecturer in English linguistics at University College London. Malory began looking into how women felt about the clinical language used around baby loss after having a daughter born in the second trimester of pregnancy and seeing how often complaints were aired in online communities, such as the Facebook group of the baby charity Tommy’s. “‘Pregnancy loss’ is much more broadly acceptable than ‘miscarriage’, which prompts really mixed feelings and which a lot of people actively dislike due to connotations of blame, failure and so on,” said Malory. She and fellow researcher Dr Louise Nuttall found “widespread dissatisfaction” among women who had lost a baby, with “lots of words and phrases that trigger trauma”. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 21 November 2024
  4. News Article
    A concerning trend of women giving birth without qualified medics risks "reversing [care] to the middle ages," experts have said. Figures show a rise in the number of women using doulas - a person who provides support to a pregnant woman before, during and after childbirth, and usually involves a home birth. In some cases, doulas were persuading women to ignore medical advice, medically experts have said. A senior consultant said mums-to-be were risking their child's life with medically unsupervised births, and their own health. She knew of a patient left with a colostomy bag after a doula advised them not to be stitched up following a fourth degree tear. She is now calling on the government to introduce regulation for doulas. Director of Doula UK Trudi Dawson told the BBC that they do not perform medical tasks and are only there for "advocacy and support". She insisted members are not allowed to steer women towards making particular birth choices, adding: "We would signpost them to the evidence. Mrs Dawson does not agree with calls from obstetricians for doulas to be regulated. She added: "Obviously we can’t be the doula police but we are trying to make sure that there is kind of a gold standard by having a register of doulas who have done specific training, who've had a mentored period, and who stand by the philosophy and a code of conduct." But a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, who didn't want to be named, said she was "terrified" about women giving birth in medically unsupervised environments. She said: "I just feel like freebirthing and allowing women to take that sort of risk with themselves, their bodies and their baby, is risking their baby dying and them potentially dying in that very unsupervised environment." Read full story Source: BBC News, 20 November 2024
  5. News Article
    The lack of diversity in NHS leadership is a contributor to ongoing higher maternal and infant mortality among some minority ethnic groups, experts have warned. Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, called for local organisations to be held to account for a lack of diversity in leadership. At present, he said, it was contributing to racial and cultural bias, and in turn to NHS “policies and practices impacting patient experiences and outcomes, including those for ethnic minority mothers and babies”. Mr Naqvi said: “Evidence clearly shows that a fully engaged and representative workforce at all levels leads to better care, safety, and optimal outcomes for all patients. “NHS organisations should focus on evidence-based interventions that support the progression of ethnic minority staff across the workforce pipeline.” He said interventions should target communities at high risk of premature births, including anti-racism approaches to quality improvement in maternity and neonatal services. To implement such approaches, he said: “There needs to be leadership that represents the NHS workforce as a whole and the communities it serves.” He added: “At the moment, the NHS leadership does not have the diversity of thoughts needed to implement these policies.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 18 November 2024
  6. News Article
    Premature birth rates in the US remain at a historic high, according to a new report. On Thursday, March of Dimes, a maternal health non-profit organization, released its latest findings which say that the national premature birth rate of 2023 remains at 10.4%, largely due to chronic conditions, inadequate prenatal care and racial disparities. In contrast, the premature birth rate 10 years ago was at 9.6%. Grading the US a D+ for its premature birth rates, the study found that more than 370,000 babies were born prematurely in 2023. Additionally, Black mothers face a premature birth rate of 14.7%, almost 1.5 times higher than the national average. The study pointed to major risks for premature births including inadequate prenatal care and chronic health issues. Last year, the rate of inadequate prenatal care was 15.7%, with even higher rates among Black and American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Inadequate prenatal care is linked to a 9% increase in the rate of premature births compared with those who receive adequate prenatal care, the study found. “As a clinician, I know the profound impact that comprehensive prenatal care has on pregnancy outcomes for both mom and baby,” Amanda P Williams, March of Dimes’s interim chief medical officer said in a statement. “Yet, too many families, especially those from our most vulnerable communities, are not receiving the support they need to ensure healthy pregnancies and births. The health of mom and baby are intricately intertwined. If we can address chronic health conditions and help ensure all moms have access to quality prenatal care, we can help every family get the best possible start.”
  7. Content Article
    March of Dimes, a maternal health non-profit organisation in the United States, released its 2024 Report Card, revealing the US preterm birth rate remains historically high at 10.4% with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. This report details the US’s persistent challenges in improving maternal and infant health outcomes and highlights the urgent need for the US to prioritise the health of mothers and babies. The 2024 Report Card reveals over 370,000 babies were born preterm in 2023, with one-third of the largest US cities receiving an F grade for preterm birth rates. Twenty-four states experienced worsening rates, many in the southeastern US, with Black birthing people facing preterm birth rates 1.4 times higher than their peers. Key findings from the 2024 Report Card: Preterm birth: The national preterm birth rate remains at 10.4% with Black moms facing a preterm birth rate of 14.7%, almost 1.5 times higher than the national average. Inadequate prenatal care: Rates of inadequate prenatal care reached 15.7%, the highest in a decade with disparities most pronounced in Black and American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Maternal mortality: Rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels with over 800 maternal deaths in 2022, a national rate of 22 deaths per 100,000 live births, with Black and American Indian/Alaska Native mothers experiencing rates 2-3 times higher than White mothers. Infant mortality: Preterm birth remains the leading cause of infant mortality, which rose by 3% in 2023—the largest increase in over 20 years. Black infants are nearly twice as likely to die in their first year than the national average. Environmental exposure: Nearly 40% of birthing individuals are at risk of exposure to extreme heat, while almost three in four birthing people are at risk of exposure to poor air quality.
  8. Content Article
    Sandra Igwe is the Founder and CEO of The Motherhood Group and author of the bestselling book "My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System". She served as Co-chair for the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care and is also a Topic leader for Patient Safety Learning’s hub, with a focus on Black Maternal Mental Health. In this interview Sandra tells us about a new partnership project, bringing together The Motherhood Group, Centre for Mental Health, and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to address critical gaps in Black maternal mental healthcare. Sandra, you are a Founder and CEO of The Motherhood Group and author of a bestselling book "My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System". You served as Co-chair for the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care and Partner for the Mayor of London's Anti-Racism Hub. And you are, of course, a Topic leader for Patient Safety Learning’s hub. Can you tell us any more about yourself and what motivates you? I am a proud mum to three beautiful girls - an eight-year-old, a six-year-old, and an almost nine-month-old baby. I'm deeply passionate about bridging the gaps between Black mothers and the healthcare system, using my voice in any capacity to improve maternal health outcomes in the UK. At my core, I'm simply a driven mum who can't stand injustice, who loves creating safe spaces for other mothers, and who's brave enough to say the things many Black mothers want to, but are too afraid to voice. Why was The Motherhood Group founded? The Motherhood Group was founded in response to the stark disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women in the UK. Research consistently shows that Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women, while experiencing higher rates of complications and poorer mental health outcomes. These disparities stem from systemic issues including lack of culturally competent care, implicit bias in healthcare settings, and barriers to accessing mental health support. We established The Motherhood Group to create a comprehensive support system that addresses these critical patient safety issues through advocacy, education, and direct support. Our approach focuses on both supporting Black mothers and educating healthcare providers to deliver more culturally competent care. What have been your key achievements since The Motherhood Group was established? Our achievements demonstrate our commitment to improving patient safety and maternal health outcomes: Reached and supported 12,721 Black mothers through our events, workshops, and peer support sessions. Delivered cultural competency training to 2,991 healthcare professionals, improving their ability to provide safe and appropriate care. Facilitated 742 peer support events and projects. Established partnerships with 3,088 organisations and charities. Coordinated five annual Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK campaigns, with our most recent event attracting over 1,200 registrations. Commissioned by Southwark Maternity Commission to engage with over 750 Black mothers and healthcare practitioners on improving outcomes. Successfully launched the Black Maternal Health Conference UK, consistently drawing over 1,000+ attendees. Can you tell us more about your new partnership project? We're thrilled to announce our Black Maternal Mental Health Project. This ground-breaking partnership brings together The Motherhood Group, Centre for Mental Health, and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance to address critical gaps in Black maternal mental healthcare. Our vision is to delve deeper into the mental health aspects of Black motherhood than ever before. We aim to uncover and address the complex intersections between racial trauma, systemic barriers, and maternal mental health. This includes creating safe spaces where Black mothers can openly discuss mental health challenges without fear of judgment or stigma. We're particularly focused on developing culturally responsive mental health support pathways that acknowledge the unique experiences of Black mothers. By bridging the trust gap between healthcare systems and Black mothers through evidence-based interventions, we hope to transform how perinatal mental health services engage with and support Black mothers. Our comprehensive approach will demonstrate impact across community engagement, healthcare provider education, policy influence, cultural competency enhancement, and peer support network development. Through this work, we aim to create lasting systemic change that improves the mental health outcomes for Black mothers across the UK. What will be your areas of focus? Through this project, we will conduct comprehensive research exploring multiple dimensions of Black maternal mental health: We will investigate the profound impact of pregnancy loss on mental health through our collaboration with Tommy's Miscarriage Support Tool, examining how we can better support Black mothers through these challenging experiences. Our partnership with South East London Mind will enable us to explore how creative expressions through music and art can serve as powerful therapeutic tools for Black mothers' mental wellbeing, providing alternative pathways for emotional healing and community connection. Through our Black Maternal Mental Health Week webinar series, we're creating platforms for open dialogue about mental health challenges specific to Black mothers, while our Black Maternal Health Conference outcomes provide crucial insights into systemic barriers and potential solutions. The Black Mums Connect co-production phase will ensure that our support services are directly shaped by the voices and experiences of Black mothers, while our Southwark Maternity Commission engagement allows us to influence policy at a local level. Our collaboration with Genomics England brings a vital scientific perspective to understanding maternal health disparities, and our training delivery with multiple NHS Perinatal Teams helps embed cultural competency directly into healthcare services. The project aims to engage with 1,000 Black mothers and healthcare professionals across all programmes in its first year, demonstrating our commitment to substantial community impact. Will you keep us posted on the outcomes and activity of the Black Maternal Mental Health Project? Absolutely. Transparency and data-driven evaluation are central to our work. We will be documenting our journey and will have our report for Black Maternal Health Conference UK and Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK in September 2025. We're committed to sharing both quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback to demonstrate how our work is improving maternal health outcomes and patient safety for Black mothers. If you would like to keep up to date with the work of the Motherhood Group, the Black Maternal Mental Health Project and details of their upcoming conferences, you can visit the following websites and social media pages: X(Twitter): @motherhoodgroup Instagram: @sandeeigwe @themotherhoodgroup Websites: Black Maternal Mental Health Project - The Motherhood Group - partnership page www.themotherhoodgroup.org www.sandraigwe.com Related hub content Racial disparities in postnatal mental health: An interview with Sandra Igwe the Founder of The Motherhood Group My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System (by Sandra Igwe) Saving lives, improving mothers’ care: Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2020-22 (MBRRACE-UK, October 2024) Five X More report - The black maternity experiences survey: A nationwide study of black women's experiences of maternity services in the United Kingdom (24 May 2022) Muslim Women's Network UK - Maternity experiences of Muslim women from racialised minority communities (12 July 2022)
  9. News Article
    An investigation into the high number of baby deaths at a Shropshire NHS trust in 2022 has identified poor care and issues with the neonatal service. The Royal College of Physicians' review states further investigation is needed into high mortality across the entire West Midlands region, as well as at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (SaTH) NHS trust. On seven baby deaths, the report about the "obstetric journey" describes as poor the way problems were dealt with. SaTH has insisted the quality of treatment had not contributed to deaths, but apologised for examples of poor care. A total of 18 deaths were recorded by SaTH in the year 2021-22, which was 5% higher than similar sized trusts. For the three years before this, neonatal mortality had also been high. So the trust invited the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to look at its neonatal service. The period 2021-22 was the time when senior midwife Donna Ockenden was reporting on SaTH failures that led to 200 deaths – at that stage the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history. The RCP said the overall impression was of a maternity service that had taken huge strides over the past two years. However, The RCP report identified only five cases where there was good practice in 2022. Two were unsatisfactory and 10 had room for improvement. Read full story Source: BBC News, 12 November 2024
  10. Content Article
    On 1 April 2024, the Maternity & Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) introduced changes to their investigation reports and processes. These changes have been made to support a culture of excellence and increase the impact and reach of our maternity safety investigations. Many trusts are receiving the new style investigation reports which now include safety prompts alongside the findings and recommendations. Safety prompts describe an action that may help to improve safety at a local level but where there was insufficient evidence to support a formal safety recommendation, or where the issue fell outside the direct scope of the investigation. The creation of safety prompts allows trusts to consider the risks identified and be at the centre of creating solutions, providing additional opportunities for learning and development.
  11. Content Article
    The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation (MNSI) programme carries out independent safety investigations related to NHS-funded maternity care in England that meet the criteria set out on our website.  This report provides an overview of work of the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation programme during 2023/24. It highlights activities carried out since 1 October 2023 and our plans for 2024/25. Its aim is to provide healthcare organisations, policymakers and the public with insights into MNSI's work. 
  12. Content Article
    This article in JAMA Internal Medicine looks at the impact of language barriers on healthcare safety and quality in the US. Research shows that language discordance between patients and healthcare professionals worsens health outcomes, especially when there are no available, affordable and adequate interpreter services. The article describes the case of a mother who tried to raise concerns about her newborn baby's breathing and had her concerns dismissed, likely because she was unable to speak English and therefore could not communicate sufficiently with midwives and doctors. The author, Tamara Huson, a doctor in Ohio, describes how she had to convince the NICU unit to take the baby in for observation. On arrival at NICU, the baby's condition quickly deteriorated and she was intubated to save her life. This near miss illustrates the impact of language discordance, and the author argues that statutory requirements for translation service in the US are not being fulfilled by healthcare providers which receive Medicare and Medicaid funding.
  13. Event
    until
    This free webinar will cover the current state of serious events involving newborns related to labour and delivery in Pennsylvania facilities and provide a deeper look into the most commonly reported event: shoulder dystocia. We will review and response when a shoulder dystocia occurs, as well as steps that can be taken after such an event, to inform practitioners with the aim of improving outcomes to future instances. Register for the webinar
  14. Content Article
    This initiative aims to improve the identification and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions (PMHC) for all patients throughout the entire perinatal period. For the purposes of the bundle, PMHC includes: mood, anxiety, and anxiety-related disorders that occur during pregnancy or within one year of delivery, including conditions that may have started prior to conception.
  15. Content Article
    The eleventh MBRRACE-UK annual report of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity, includes surveillance data on women who died during or up to one year after pregnancy between 2020 and 2022 in the UK. In addition, it also includes Confidential Enquiries into the care of women who died between 2020 and 2022 in the UK and Ireland from thrombosis and thromboembolism and malignancies as well as the care of women who died as a result of ectopic pregnancy between 2021 and 2022. The report also includes a Morbidity Confidential Enquiry into the care of migrant women who arrived in the UK less than two years prior to giving birth and who had a preferred language other than English. These women were identified from the MBRRACE-UK database of perinatal deaths or through routine national birth records for 2022.
  16. Content Article
    Health inequalities in maternity care, ectopic pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and prescribing for chronic conditions in pregnancy are the topics covered in this episode of the Clinical Update podcast. The MIMS Learning editors also discuss the report into birth trauma, and highlight red flags to look out for in pregnant patients. 0.5 CPD hours Join the MIMS Learning editors for this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, in which they consider how the all-party parliamentary report on birth trauma may impact primary care, as well as discussing common challenges in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, hyperemesis and coexisting diabetes. Educational objectives After listening to this module, healthcare professionals should be more aware of: Red flags to look for in pregnant patients Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy Updated recommendations on management of hyperemesis gravidarum Management of pre-existing conditions in pregnancy, such as diabetes
  17. Content Article
    The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) recent national review of maternity services describes how toxic interprofessional cultures are impacting on quality of care. Multiple inquiries have found that poor multidisciplinary teamwork during childbirth causes delays in emergency intervention, as well as birth trauma, with recommended change slow to come. Lord Darzi’s recent report on the wider NHS, which describes the “succession of scandals and subsequent inquiries into maternal care”, suggested that deeper conversations may need to be had on issues such as culture in maternity services. This blog describes some of the professional culture dynamics in maternity services, why it matters when they clash, and suggests how focusing on our shared values can help us move towards resolution. We should not shy away from a problem because it is difficult to solve.
  18. Content Article
    The Maternal Mental Health Alliance has released new research into the current landscape of Maternal Mental Health Services (MMHS) in England. Based on survey responses from 41/46 MMHS, for the first time, this report offers a detailed look at how MMHS are being delivered at the local level. The report finds that there has been welcome progress with the establishment of these services in most areas of England, however it also highlights that many of these small services are struggling to cope with levels of demand. The data shows wide variation between what care is provided for women, birthing people and their families, the criteria to access this care, and waiting times for assessment and treatment in different parts of the country. The inconsistencies uncovered suggest there are currently not enough resources to meet the need. New data shows only 11/41 Maternal Mental Health Services support women who have had their babies removed through care proceedings, a group at particularly high risk of developing perinatal mental health issues and dying by suicide. One Maternal Mental Health Service has already closed due to funding issues. Waiting times for assessment ranged from 0–26 weeks. For those who met the criteria for treatment, waiting times ranged from 0–52 weeks.
  19. Content Article
    Socioeconomic inequality in infant mortality in the UK is rising. This study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe aimed to identify contributory maternal and pregnancy factors that can explain the known association between area deprivation and infant mortality. In this large cohort study of 392,606 mother-child dyads in England, the study showed a marked inequality in infant mortality risk. Of the 23 factors examined, four factors were identified as potentially important: maternal depression, preterm birth, smoking during pregnancy, and maternal age younger than 20 years at childbirth. These four collectively accounted for almost one-third of the socioeconomic inequality in mortality.
  20. Content Article
    This National Patient Safety Alert, issued by the NHS England National Patient Safety Team and endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Anaesthetists, instructs all relevant NHS funded maternity care providers to cease pre-preparing oxytocin infusions at ward level in all clinical areas. All actions should be completed by 31 March 2025. Midwives need to complete several tasks immediately and simultaneously following birth to ensure the safety of both the mother and baby. To support this, postpartum oxytocin infusions have been prepared in advance of being required. If a pre-prepared oxytocin infusion is unintentionally given before the baby is born, for example if it is confused with standard fluids or the intrapartum and postpartum infusions are confused, the woman’s contractions will increase in frequency and strength. This can lower the baby’s oxygen levels and alter their heart rate, increasing the risk of placental abruption (where the placenta prematurely separates from the uterus and deprives the baby of oxygen). A review of the National Reporting and Learning Systems over a 5 year period identified 25 incidents. Actions required: Review and update local clinical procedures (or equivalent documents) to ensure: Oxytocin infusions for any indication are not pre-prepared at ward level in any clinical area (including delivery suites and theatres). Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) kits/ trolleys are immediately available in all clinical areas/theatres where it may be required. Where a woman is identified to be at high risk of PPH: (a) the PPH kit/trolley should be brought into the labour/delivery room/theatre during the second stage of labour, (b) the postpartum oxytocin infusion should be prepared at the time of birth and not before, (c) a second midwife should be available to support the administration of the postpartum oxytocin infusion. Roles and responsibilities of staff groups in the labour setting, including theatres, are clearly defined in terms of prescribing, preparation, administration and disposal of oxytocin infusions. Including: intrapartum oxytocin infusions, postpartum oxytocin infusions and unused, pre-prepared oxytocin. infusions.
  21. Content Article
    The Care Quality Commission reflect on findings from their national maternity inspection programme related to incident management. This short film covers what they found and examples of good practice in this area.
  22. Content Article
    In partnership with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives, The Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement is working to prevent stillbirths and premature births across the UK. It's vision is to make the UK the safest place in the world to give birth by making it easier for every woman to receive the right care at the right time and by reducing health inequalities across the country.
  23. News Article
    Trainee midwives at a struggling trust have raised serious concerns about bullying and feeling afraid to speak up, an NHS England report has revealed. Experiences of pre-registration midwifery trainees at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and Good Hope Hospital, part of University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust, are detailed in a recent NHS England workforce, education and training report following a visit in January. The report said learners at BHH reported a “concerning culture of bullying and undermining”, with some midwives displaying hostility and rudeness, and one student constantly feeling like they were in “fight or flight mode”. At GHH, students were aware how to raise concerns but described it as a “waste of time”, telling NHSE qualified midwives had informed them they frequently raised concerns about staffing levels without these being resolved. Meanwhile, at BHH trainees said lack of action taken when they tried to raise concerns had created an environment where learners were reluctant to voice fears about patients or seek guidance on patient care. The NHSE report said students provided multiple instances of trying to raise concerns which were either not acted on or they experienced repercussions for having attempted to speak up. One person expressed concerns about a woman who had experienced severe bleeding following birth but their supervising midwife dismissed their concern. They then escalated the matter to another staff member and was taken more seriously, but as a result, the student said their supervising midwife “made my life hell” for the rest of the shift. NHSE said it heard examples where midwives made derogatory comments about students in public, including about one person’s weight, which caused them to leave the building in tears. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 24 May 2024
  24. Event
    The United States is grappling with a maternal health crisis, marked by distressingly high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly within underserved communities. Making a sustainable impact on this population requires strategic efforts to engage and address disparities and improve access and quality of care. Join Fierce Healthcare on October 29 for an important session that will provide actionable strategies to bridge these gaps, improve health outcomes, and revolutionize maternal healthcare. By attending, you will gain the tools to: Enhance engagement of pregnant women and birthing parents by using digital approaches Implement whole person approaches to improve adverse health outcomes Break down barriers and expand access to care for maternal populations Understand how to take a focused approach to improve quality measures and outcomes. Register
  25. Event
    This webinar will cover NIHR research that could help improve the safety and quality of maternity care. Speakers will present actionable evidence that attendees can implement in their own practice. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session, giving you a unique opportunity to quiz the researchers on how you could act on this research, and reflect on potential barriers and facilitators. The webinar will cover: women’s experiences of labour induction the 7 features of safe care in maternity units the role of hospital boards in improving maternity care. Register
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