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What is the purpose of the Maternity Care Policy?
To ensure that the provision of maternity care provided by the Trust is delivered in accordance with the UK Ambulance Services Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Which of the following departments is responsible for reviewing the Maternity Care Policy?
What demographic does the policy's guidance specifically pertain to?
Maternity and neonatal care, particularly for women and newborns.
At what gestational age should a mother be conveyed to a maternity unit for assessment?
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The postnatal period extends to 6 weeks after birth.
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The Clinical Safety and Standards Committee has overall responsibility for managing compliance with the Maternity Care Policy.
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Which document should the Maternity Care Policy be read alongside?
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What assessment is necessary for a woman in normal labour according to the policy?
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What is the key objective of the Maternity Care Policy?
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What should be documented in the hand-held maternity records when a woman is discharged on scene?
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What is the typical gestation period by which most women will have booked at a maternity unit?
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Which of the following are options available for planning maternity care and birth?
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The booked maternity unit is always the nearest maternity unit.
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What action should be taken if a woman calling emergency services has a normal history?
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In what situations should the nearest maternity unit be located for emergency care?
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Who should be contacted if a midwife needs to attend the scene or home?
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Study Notes
Maternity Care Policy Overview
- Aims to ensure maternity care adheres to UK Ambulance Service Clinical Practice Guidelines (JRCALC 2016).
- Document is sponsored by the Medical Directorate and authored by the Medical Director.
- Final document status; intended for review by January 2019 or as needed.
Amendment History
- Frequent updates have occurred, with a significant joint review approved on 01/05/19 to incorporate audit findings.
- Previous amendments focused on wording consistency and document profile updates from various contributors, including Consultant Midwives and the IG Manager.
Scope of the Policy
- Covers comprehensive maternity care including specific management pathways for women and newborns in London.
- Addresses complications in pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care up to 12 weeks after delivery.
- Incorporates guidance for the resuscitation of newborns, especially at the extreme of viability (<24 weeks of gestation).
Key Objectives
- Provide evidence-based emergency maternity and neonatal care for both normal and complicated cases.
- Equip staff with necessary skills and knowledge for their clinical roles.
- Ensure compassionate care aligned with individual scope of practice and professional codes of conduct.
Responsibilities within Policy
- Clinical Safety and Standards Committee oversees compliance.
- Medical Director ensures proper implementation and adherence to the Clinical Practice Guidelines.
- Consultant Midwife and Practice Leads act as liaisons for best practices and alignment with maternity services across trusts.
- All clinical staff must maintain updated skills in maternity care, while control room staff must follow established call-taking and dispatch procedures.
General Policy Process
- Recognizes the necessity of timely transfers for women experiencing complications during labor or birth to the nearest maternity unit.
- Some women in normal labor may receive enhanced telephone assessments to determine safe transport options.
Telephone Triage for Maternity Advice
- Each maternity unit offers 24-hour midwifery advice for LAS staff through direct phone contact or the clinical hub.
- Advice obtained during calls must be documented accurately, including the midwife's name and unit information.
Booked Maternity Unit Protocol
- Most women book their maternity services by 10-12 weeks of gestation, receiving records detailing their medical history.
- Women can select their planned maternity care, including options for home births with support from community or independent midwives.
Additional Notes
- The document emphasizes the importance of risk escalation and communication during pre-hospital maternity care.
- Policies are interlinked with various other operational procedures, highlighting the need for cohesive and informed approaches in emergency situations.### Maternity Care Framework
- Stand-alone birth centres, such as Edgware, Barkantine, and Barking Community, cater to low-risk women and are midwife-run.
- Birth centres within maternity units accommodate low-risk women and allow for swift transfer to a labor ward if needed.
- Labour wards are designated for women with existing risk factors or who opt for epidural anesthesia during labor.
Emergency Procedures
- When a woman calls emergency services, she should be taken to the nearest maternity unit for assessment, regardless of her booked unit.
- The emergency services should not be treated as a “taxi” service; if the woman reports a normal history, a midwife at the booked unit should be consulted for further care arrangements.
- Immediate maternity care is essential in an emergency; if the booked unit delays care, the nearest maternity unit should be sought.
Communication Protocols
- For women beyond 20 weeks gestation who are unbooked, this information must be shared with the nearest maternity unit.
- Crews should provide clinical coordination desks with details about the emergency and destination to ensure timely care delivery.
- If unfamiliar with a maternity unit or if the woman appears clinically unstable, crews may request maternity staff to meet them at a designated entrance to expedite care.
Assistance from Midwives
- A midwife may be dispatched from the nearest maternity unit responsible for geographical community care, which may differ from the woman’s booked unit.
- Clinical Hub can be contacted to identify the responsible maternity unit and provide guidance as necessary.
- Unless diverted, the nearest maternity unit should comply with midwife assistance requests at the scene, especially in critical situations like pre-eclampsia/eclampsia or pre-term birth.
Additional Considerations
- A systematic approach is enforced in managing the activity of London Maternity Units through the LAS London-Wide Divert Policy.
- Proper communication and protocols streamline maternity care and enhance response times in emergency scenarios.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the Maternity Care Policy, formally known as the Obstetric Care Policy. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to the UK Ambulance services Clinical Practice Guidelines (JRCALC 2016) for the provision of maternity care within the Trust.
