Sustaining practice –sustaining self: Supporting the transition to evidence based models of maternity care

• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP, 0.1 Midwifery CEU
• Handout: No

Abstract:

There is now compelling evidence of the benefits of re-orientating maternity services to provide all women, regardless of risk, with a known caseload midwife within a supportive multidisciplinary team 1-3. The strength of evidence has created international momentum to make women’s access to continuity of midwifery care a priority (referred to as caseload midwifery). There is consistent and significant high-level policy support within Australia (e.g. National Maternity Services Plan, 2011)1 and internationally (e.g. NHS England National Maternity Review, 2016 )2 to provide caseload midwifery. However, despite the strength of evidence and policy support, the transition and re-orientation of maternity services to provide caseload midwifery care has been slow 4. A review of the literature reveals significant barriers to implementation including disinterest and misinformation about caseload midwifery within the existing midwifery workforce , poorly designed or absent implementation and support processes and inadequate leadership 5-7. This paper will outline strategies that could be implemented to support leaders developing these services, and importantly strategies that could support the emotional wellbeing of midwives transitioning to and working in caseload midwifery models.

Learning Objectives: