More women call the midwife

Sunday 06 July 2014

Mums-to-be are spending more of their pregnancies out of hospital and are getting check-ups from community midwives at their GP surgeries instead.

Antenatal clinics have been set up in nine Island practices, making it more convenient for expectant mums and taking the pressure off the Hospital’s antenatal clinic so that it can focus on more difficult pregnancies.

The number of women using the hospital has dropped by 2/3. In the first three months of this year, 230 first antenatal appointments were in the community, compared to 47 at the General.

Lister Surgery GP, Dr Kate Wilson said: “Having midwives in the GP surgeries is a great move. It’s something we’ve been doing at Lister Surgery for many years and we are so glad it’s been rolled out across the Island. It enables us, GPs and midwives, to get to know and thus better care for our expectant mums and young families. It is so much easier to touch base with a midwife about a case when they are across the corridor rather than spending time writing letters or phoning the Hospital trying to track someone down.

“Most pregnancies are medically straightforward and do not require specialist medical care from the Hospital. However pregnancy, birth and having a young family are big life events that have their challenges socially, psychologically and emotionally. We, as GPs, are grateful to be able to support the community midwives in what they do so fantastically – the holistic care of expectant mums and new families. The other bonus is that women have a timed appointment with the midwife at the surgery and can plan it into their day.”

Health’s Head of Midwifery Elaine Torrance said: “We are pleased that the community midwifery project has been so successful, and really appreciate the partnership working with GPs. We have had good feedback from women that they enjoy being seen by midwives at their GP surgery. They can build up a good relationship with the midwife as they go through their pregnancy.

“The move also allows the hospital antenatal team more flexibility to concentrate on pregnancies which might be complex, and means that for women where this is a concern, resources are on hand, and those patients will continue to be seen in the Hospital.”