London Ambulance Service NHS Trust honoured for innovation in maternity care at national awards

on 29 October 2021 RCM RCM President RCM CEO RCM Annual Midwifery Awards NHS Pregnancy

Amanda Mansfield MBE and Susan Watkins from the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust have been honoured with the Innovation in Maternity Care Award at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Midwifery Awards.

Their work in promoting safe and successful conversations between midwives and emergencies services when maternity emergencies arise the judges said was a ‘crucial project has the potential for huge impact on saving lives for women and babies’.

The team also developed a midwives communication card to enhance communication with ambulance services when requiring a transfer from a free-standing birth centre or home birth has also been scaled up across a wide geographical area and can be implemented on a UK basis at minimal financial cost.

Commenting RCM’s Chief Executive Gill Walton said; “The work of Amanda and her colleagues at the London Ambulance Service is a wonderful example of excellent multi professional working. Their project has generated and added to the midwifery body of knowledge, most importantly the tools they developed have achieved improved outcomes for women and babies and families. This is passion, professionalism and collaborative working at its best and it’s a pleasure to congratulate both Amanda, Susan and all their colleagues who have made this happen.”

The communication card was developed by midwives and control room staff. It’s a hand-held A5 card used by midwives and maternity support workers, and provides specific information and the questions the caller is expected to be asked. The card provides information for two categories of ambulance response depending upon the type of emergency: a time-critical or an urgent transfer. These categories align to maternity emergencies or transfers for pain-relief or maternal preference.

 

Commenting on her win, Amanda Mansfield MBE said:

“This is an absolute win for all our staff that take that initial 999 call when the midwife is ringing. The card makes it easier and quicker for the midwife to state who they are, where they are, and what they need.

“All of our teams put our patients at the heart of what we do, and enabling a safer conversation is key. To represent London Ambulance Service, as a Midwife, is an honour, and I am excited for the continuous onward work to build upon the success of this patient safety improvement.”

Daniel Elkeles, London Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive, said:

“I’m incredibly proud of Amanda, Susan, and the team. The work they do is so important and helps improve the maternity care we provide for families across London.

“Congratulations to the team on winning this award. It is so well deserved and I’m pleased their dedication has been recognised.”

 

ENDS

 

To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email [email protected]. 

 

Notes to editors

 

Full list of winners here: https://www.rcm.org.uk/media-releases/2021/october/national-midwifery-awards-honour-midwives-and-maternity-support-workers/

For more information on the RCM awards  https://www.rcmawards.com/

 

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team