The introduction of a higher level maternity support worker role in Scotland has increased capacity and improved the quality of care to mothers, according to new research conducted by London South Bank University (LSBU).
The research, funded by
NHS Education for Scotland, is said to be the first time an evaluation has been conducted into the maternity care support worker (MCSW) role, which was introduced by NHS Scotland in 2008.
The role was developed in response to growing maternity service pressures, including the rising average age of mothers and more complex births, despite Scotland experiencing an overall fall in birth rates.
So far, 82 MCSWs have been or are being trained in Scotland, taking on duties such as advising on parenting skills, providing breastfeeding information, and one-to-one support for mothers with specific needs, such as young mothers, undertaking hearing tests, and vital signs observation and recording – a task previously undertaken by midwives. The role is supported by an associated training programme and national competency framework called the ‘Skills Passport’.
Richard Griffin, associate director of the vocational institute at LSBU and lead researcher on the report, said: ‘Our evaluation found this role was welcomed by both midwives and new mothers.
‘The introduction of maternity care support workers (MCSW) has freed up the time of busy midwives, improving their productivity. In turn, this means patients are getting extra support and care. MCSWs are an extra pair of hands.’
He adds: ‘Midwives can feel vulnerable delegating tasks, but the training programme has increased confidence in these support workers. It has also helped improve service delivery.’
