FOCUS: Women’s health been reduced to zero. “The knock-on effect is that the MFAU now has more capacity to efficiently deal with those urgent cases.” Tricia and Dirk Mulder had their second child, Pierce, two weeks ago and attended the new clinic for monitoring twice a week during the later stages of their pregnancy. Dirk said the best thing about the new clinic was being seen at the scheduled appointment time, and having the same midwife each time.
TRICIA AND DIRK MULDER WITH BABY PIERCE AND FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL REGISTERED MIDWIFE VANESSA DE GRAFF
DUE TO THE SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE SERVICE, IT’S ALSO PROVIDING A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY FOR MIDWIVES.
NEW FETAL SURVEILLANCE CLINIC LEADS TO MORE EFFICIENT CARE By Anni Fordham A new fetal surveillance clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) is cutting wait times and freeing up urgent care beds for expectant mothers. Previously, pregnant women requiring regular cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring due to medical disorders like gestational diabetes would present to the Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit (MFAU). MFAU also provides urgent assessment for women with unexpected complications so those needing routine CTGs once or twice a week could be waiting some time, depending on other cases presenting on the day. 42 October 2017 Volume 25, No. 4
FSH Midwifery Manager Ambulatory Services Peta Skuthorp said the new clinic meant women had more certainty around appointment times. “Time is precious and not everyone can afford to be waiting for long periods, so we’ve listened to patient feedback and changed the way we do things,” Peta said. “Because these women are no longer waiting alongside urgent cases, their wait time has effectively
“Sometimes in the public health system you can start to feel like a number, but we felt the midwifery staff within the clinic really took the time to get to know us,” he said. “It was really good to see the same familiar face each time we came in and to be able to get the CTG done without waiting around. “The birth went very smoothly too, thanks partly to our wonderful obstetrician Dr Sunanda.” The clinic, which runs two days a week, is staffed by a dedicated team of specialist midwives working alongside the medical team to provide prompt assessment and continuity of care. “Our highly trained midwives consult regularly with medical staff to ensure we’re providing exceptional care in a familiar and friendly environment,” Peta said. Due to the specialist skills required to operate the service, it’s also providing a professional development pathway for midwives. “The midwives conducting the surveillance clinic are required to have a number of advanced level qualifications in fetal surveillance so it’s a great incentive for those who want to advance their skills and gain more specialised experience.” Peta said feedback from patients had been overwhelmingly positive since the service began in May. “The women who come to see us have competing demands on their time, like we all do – so being able to pop in at their allotted time and then get on with the rest of their day makes a big difference.”
Anni Fordham is A/Media Coordinator, Corporate Communications at South Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia anmf.org.au