Midwives and other staff at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals are patting themselves on the back this week following the announcement that they have achieved Level 2 in the CNST (Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts) maternity standards.
Trust Clinical Director for Maternity and Perinatal Medicine, Elaine Newell said: “The successful achievement of Level 2 is a significant indicator of the huge progress made in Maternity services over the last four years. It demonstrates the successful integration of robust risk management and governance practices which ultimately impact upon the quality of patient care delivered to mothers and babies.”
The achievement of CNST level 2 follows an extremely challenging two day assessment process involving assessment of ‘live’ clinical records as well as hundreds of notes of women who have been treated and given birth at the Trust. It is the culmination of many months of hard work and commitment by a very dedicated team of midwives, doctors and administrative staff, all of whom have been congratulated for their enormous efforts.
Since 1st April 2003, maternity services are subject to separate assessment against the CNST maternity clinical risk management standards. The standards are drawn from numerous sources including DH guidance, Royal College guidelines, and the findings and recommendations of various enquiries and studies.
As well as the main Maternity Unit at City Hospital, SWBH have blazed a trail for Midwife-Led Units (MLUs) with the innovative Serenity Unit at City and the purpose-built Halcyon Unit in Smethwick.
Just last month SWBH’s Midwives Kathryn Gutteridge and Helen Giles were honoured with an award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) for their work to promote natural birth