Educators from South Tees Research, Innovation and Education (STRIVE) department have been looking to provide regular training for health professionals working in the urgent treatment centres associated with South Tees Hospital, increasing the confidence and safety of the rural healthcare settings with regard to maternity presentations. There is an increased risk associated with births that take place out of hospital versus those at a central delivery unit and typically, pregnant women attending UTC are transferred via ambulance to a main hospital. Healthcare professionals working in the urgent care treatment centres had expressed anxiety about serious potential obstetric presentations and the management of obstetric emergencies that may self-present to these treatment centres.
Gerri Wilson- ward manager of Urgent Treatment Centre said
‘’ Being a proactive leader, I had anticipated the challenges the unit may face if an unexpected pregnant woman walks in. The unit is not well equipped in terms of training and maternity resources to ensure the safety of both the woman and the new-born. This training has been well received by the team and has been valuable to the unit.”
The staff from the centres including Salaried GPs, Emergency Nurse Practitioners, Health care assistants, and ambulance crew who were based at a rural hospital with no emergency department in the immediate proximity attended repeated simulation-based training in the principles of normal vaginal delivery, management of post-partum haemorrhage, and resuscitation of the newborn over a 6-month period.

After the scenario, the team debriefing encouraged reflective learning focusing on both technical and non-technical skills using a system approach to human error and empowered the team to identify changes that could improve their equipment and policies. The number of nursing practitioners involved in the simulation training was 91% of the target staff. The team has found in-situ simulation useful in developing individual skills and competency in maternity care and neonatal resuscitation. The staff feedback survey response rate was 98%. Feedback was positive highlighting an increase in competence and confidence in delivering maternity care.
Radha Brown, Simulation and Human Factors lecturer said about this training:
‘’Simulation training was the best teaching technique to highlight gaps in the service from the health professionals working on the Unit. I believe this teaching project has been successful only because the staff felt a sense of ownership with the training and with the implementation of service improvement in their unit.’’
The successful delivery of this simulation initiative has result in a well-equipped and trained workforce prepared to accommodate pregnant women.
Photo credit: STRIVE education team.
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