6 February 2017

A major conference is to take place in Shropshire to begin to implement the national Maternity Review, which is focused on improving outcomes for pregnant women across the country.

The “Better Births” Shropshire and Beyond conference aims to look at new ways to provide the best care possible for women in the region.

Its focus will be on exploring how the national Maternity Review, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, will be implemented in the area. Baroness Cumberlege will be speaking at the event, which will be held at the Shropshire Conference Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) on 13 February 2017.

Sarah Jamieson, Head of Midwifery at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: “We’ve already begun looking at the ways that we can achieve ‘Better Births’ and this conference will be an excellent way of developing this work and beginning to engage local communities.

“There are four broad types of setting for care in labour and birth: at home, at stand-alone Midwife Led Units (MLUs), at Consultant Led Units and at MLUs that are alongside, or on the same site as, Consultant Led Units.

“The ‘Better Births’ National Maternity Review (2016) noted that in 2012, 87% of births took place in NHS Consultant Led Units, 9% in an along-side unit, 2% in a free standing MLU and 2% at home. SaTH’s annual statistics aren’t too dissimilar and would support this picture

“Our aim, when implementing the review, is to maintain choice for all low-risk women, giving them the option of giving birth at home, at an MLU or at our Consultant Led Unit.

“We also want to explore the creation of Community Hubs where women could access clinics and appointments closer to their home.

“But to do this we will need to work differently and that is one of the things we want to explore at the conference.”

The conference aims to focus on:

  • developing community hubs
  • the challenges and values of standalone MLUs
  • engaging local communities
  • the financial arguments for standalone MLUs
  • management of change and
  • care pathways to enhance safety

Wendy Cutchie, Lead Midwife for MLUs and Community Midwifery Services at SaTH, added: “Around 100 people are due to attend what should be a really interesting, informative and productive session.

“We’re really pleased to be welcoming some excellent speakers including Baroness Cumberlege and Cathy Warwick CBE, who is Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives.

“The event is open to all who are interested in maternity care in large rural counties.”