31.10.16
Six areas to pilot new midwifery supervision model ahead of national roll-out
New midwifery supervision models will be piloted at six sites as part of a drive to improve care, NHS England has announced.
They will be responsible for pioneering a new model of midwifery supervision ahead of legislative changes due in spring next year.
The aim is to support midwives in all aspects of their job with the ultimate goal of improving maternity care, as well as promoting midwives’ job satisfaction and development and reducing sickness absences.
The six pilots represent a range of maternity providers countrywide and include:
- Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust – who will also work with One to One North West to test the model for independent midwives working across large geographical areas.
- Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Whittington Health
The pilots are aligned with the National Maternity Review, which is designed to help deliver more personalised care for pregnant women, and will help pave the way for a national roll-out.
Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, head of maternity, children and young people’s services for NHS England, said: “Midwives have a uniquely rewarding, important and privileged role.
“The new model will be instrumental in providing midwives with a continuous improvement process that builds personal and professional resilience to enhance our quality of care for women and babies. It will also support preparedness for appraisal and professional revalidation.
“These pilot sites will play a significant role in shaping the new model of supervision, and I am looking forward to working with them closely.”
The pilot sites were chosen after demonstrating that they had enthusiasm to test new approach and share their learning and good leadership and resources in their applications.
NHS England figures, published last week, found that 155 of 209 CCGs ‘require improvement’ for maternity services.
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