What we found We noted that there has been some regional inconsistency in the implementation and effectiveness of the Referral Guidelines: In many DHBs, copies of the Referral Guidelines had been disseminated to DHB staff and LMCs working in the district. Most DHBs had held meetings with various health professionals involved in the maternity sector to discuss the updates to the Guidelines and promote awareness. Unfortunately, only a small number of DHBs plan to use the maternity clinical governance/steering groups developed as part of the MQSP to monitor the implementation of the Guidelines and develop local Emergency Transport Plans. Many DHBs noted that updates to these policies need to be completed in conjunction with St John and other ambulance services. The changes we expect to see 1 DHBs should be using MQSP governance groups to monitor the implementation of the Referral Guidelines. 2 The Referral Guidelines should be communicated effectively to maternity consumers, making processes more transparent. 3 Updates to referral policies need to be completed in conjunction with St John and other ambulance services. 4 We want to see that DHBs are engaging with ambulance services to improve the emergency transport of women in labour. Good example of referral guidelines implementation Southern DHB Southern DHB has worked hard to implement the revised Referral Guidelines, particularly in relation to emergency transport. It has that the revised guidelines have been used as an opportunity to develop relationships with our St John colleagues both in urban and rural localities. It notes that this has led to greater understanding of the emergency transport process for DHB clinicians, LMCs and St John staff. It has also led to new transfer information forms to ensure effective communication occurs. Furthermore, relationships between rural providers and local St John staff have been enhanced through encouraging LMCs to contact St John staff early in a manner so St ‘heads-up’ John can consider information such as driving hours and the location of volunteer staff. This helps reduce delays when a call is made to transfer patients.
What we found We noted that there has been some regional inconsistency in the implementation and effectiveness of the Referral Guidelines: In many DHBs, copies of the Referral Guidelines had been disseminated to DHB staff and LMCs working in the district. Most DHBs had held meetings with various health professionals involved in the maternity sector to discuss the updates to the Guidelines and promote awareness. Unfortunately, only a small number of DHBs plan to use the maternity clinical governance/steering groups developed as part of the MQSP to monitor the implementation of the Guidelines and develop local Emergency Transport Plans. Many DHBs noted that updates to these policies need to be completed in conjunction with St John and other ambulance services. The changes we expect to see 1 DHBs should be using MQSP governance groups to monitor the implementation of the Referral Guidelines. 2 The Referral Guidelines should be communicated effectively to maternity consumers, making processes more transparent. 3 Updates to referral policies need to be completed in conjunction with St John and other ambulance services. 4 We want to see that DHBs are engaging with ambulance services to improve the emergency transport of women in labour. Good example of referral guidelines implementation Southern DHB Southern DHB has worked hard to implement the revised Referral Guidelines, particularly in relation to emergency transport. It has that the revised guidelines have been used as an opportunity to develop relationships with our St John colleagues both in urban and rural localities. It notes that this has led to greater understanding of the emergency transport process for DHB clinicians, LMCs and St John staff. It has also led to new transfer information forms to ensure effective communication occurs. Furthermore, relationships between rural providers and local St John staff have been enhanced through encouraging LMCs to contact St John staff early in a ‘heads-up’ manner so St John can consider information such as driving hours and the location of volunteer staff. This helps reduce delays when a call is made to transfer patients.
national-maternity-monitoring-group-annual-report-2013-nov13.docx