Maternity Services Action Group
Tuesday 14 September 2010, 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Glasgow Room, Mitchell Library, Granville Street
Glasgow
MINUTES
Attendees:
Dr Linda de Caestecker
Chair, Director of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow
and Clyde
Dr Catherine Calderwood Senior Medical Officer, Women and Children’s Health,
Scottish Government (SG)
Dr Jim Chalmers
Consultant in Public Health Medicine, representing ISD
Kerry Chalmers
Senior Policy Manager, National Workforce, National
Workforce Planning Team, SG
Kathy Collins
Programme Director and Nursing Advisor, representing
NSS National Services Division
Fiona Dagge-Bell
Professional Practice Development Officer, NHS Quality
Improvement Scotland
Christine Duncan
Change Manager, Maternal and Infant Health, SG
Sally Egan
Representing Child Health Commissioners Group
Janette Hannah
Maternal and Infant Health Branch, SG
Tracy Humphrey
On behalf of Elinor Smith
Ann Kerr
Team Head, Healthy Living, representing NHS Health
Scotland
Heather Knox
Director of Regional Planning, West of Scotland
representing ,
Regional Planners
Dr Alan Mathers
Clinical Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NHSGGC
Lynne Nicol
Policy Executive, Maternal and Infant Health, SG
Dr Judith Penny
General Practitioner, representing the Royal College of
General Practitioners, Scotland
Sylvia Shearer
Policy Analyst and Head of Maternal and Infant Health
Branch, SG
Mary Vance
LSA Midwifery Officer, representing LSAMO
Apologies:
Dr Phil Booth
Sarah Corcoran
Dr Peter Fowlie
John Froggatt
Ann Holmes
Rhona Hughes
Dr Mags McGuire
Consultant Paediatrician, representing the Royal College
for Paediatrics and Child Health
Policy Manager, Maternal and Infant Health Branch, SG
Consultant Paediatrician, representing the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health
Deputy Director, Child and Maternal Health Division, SG
Consultant Midwife, representing Chief Nursing Office
Directorate Scottish Government
Consultant Obstetrician, representing the Royal College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, SG
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Elinor Smith
Director of Nursing, NHS Grampian, representing
Executive Nurse Directors’ Group
Head of Midwifery, NHS Lothian, representing Heads of
Midwifery for Scotland
Maria Wilson
In attendance:
Noreen Kent
Christopher Homfray
1.
UK Programme Director, Midwifery 2020
Equality and Performance Directorate, Health Scotland
Introduction and apologies
Linda welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies were noted as above.
2.
Presentation and discussion
2.1
Communication and Language Support – NHS Health Scotland –
Christopher Homfray
Ann Kerr introduced Christopher Homfray, briefly explaining the scope of his work.
Ann advised that translations of information leaflets were only provided on
request with the exception of immunisation and screening leaflets which were
translated automatically into the core languages of Polish, Chinese and Urdu. The
cost of various sign language conversions would be met by NHS Boards.
Action: Ann will circulate a list showing the number of translation requests received
for each language, noting that these had been prioritised. Easy to access details
would be made available on NHS Health Scotland’s website and Ann will circulate
what had been done so far to members for their comment and further refinement.
2.2
Telephone Interpretation
Christopher explained that Health Scotland’s Equality and Performance Directorate
was working with NHS Board Equality Leads/ Managers and other partners in
responding to interpretation needs in relation to mental health, performance
management, human rights etc. A strategy and action plan were in place to provide
provision to NHS Boards who deliver interpreting facilities and a joint action group
had been set up in line with Scottish Government’s policy as set out in the Equally
Well Report and the healthcare Quality Strategy.
Christopher highlighted the importance of interpretation services in improving
access to maternity services for people with language issues. This was a complex
area and communication/ language and printing barriers in health care settings
would need to be overcome. Work was underway to improve the quality of
interpreting to achieve national consistency with quality standards, involving a
pathway of continual improvement and also working with existing tools/ material to
improve efficiency. Christopher acknowledged that he was happy to focus on
Maternity Leads.
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During group discussion, the following points were noted/ agreed:
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Having an interpreter available throughout the patient journey would be useful
Language issues combined with cultural issues
Management issues – different layers of responsibility/ staff turnover were
barriers to effective consistency of communication
Leaflets should not be seen as a replacement for verbal communication
Leaflet of no value if patient is illiterate – NHS HS are aware of literacy issues
and looking at a mechanism to resolve this issue
Looking at what the patient needs throughout the various stages of pregnancy
was a key area of development
NHS Grampian had produced a leaflet, issued to all pregnant women when
they arrive in the maternity unit, detailing what they can expect from maternity
services – potential to be translated and used nationally
NHS Forth Valley had also developed a similar leaflet that would be
applicable throughout NHSScotland
Christopher concluded that further work was now underway to produce a document
on entitlement and interpreting, which will give clearer guidelines in relation to who
pays for what, the issue of conformed consent and a patient’s entitlement to insist
that an interpreter is available. The guidelines will be made available to all NHS
Boards.
Action: All- Christopher noted that suggestions from the group on maternity
services requirements would be useful.
Action: The new Pregnancy and Newborn Screening programmes would come into
effect from 4 October 2010 and Ann agreed to find out when staff would receive the
new pregnancy screening leaflets and circulate details of this to the group.
2.3
Draft Antenatal Inequalities Evidence into Action Guidance – Christine
Duncan
Christine provided an overview of the draft “Evidence into Action Guidance”, which
had been developed by the Antenatal Inequalities Working Group (AIWA). The
guidance was based on a rapid overview of the evidence carried out by NHS Health
Scotland and on an extrapolation of pertinent key messages from reviews carried out
to inform the Early Years and Equally Well policy frameworks. Christine emphasised
that it was aimed at NHS Boards and should not be seen as applying to maternity
services in isolation from other NHS Board services and functions. The group
approved the guidance making constructive comments in relation to clarity of
language and key messages.
3.
Business items
3.1
Minutes of last meeting
It was noted that, as there were two group members with the first name “Fiona”, to
avoid confusion, the surname should be stipulated when referenced to in future
minutes of meetings.
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3.2
Actions arising
3.2.1 SWHMR Update – Fiona Dagge-bell
Fiona informed the group that an update of the SWHMR will be led by NHS
QIS
3.2.2 Draft Refreshed Framework for Maternity Services – Christine
Duncan
The draft is with stakeholders for their feedback by the 30th September. A
number of engagement sessions have taken place with NHS Boards over the
summer. A stakeholder consensus session is planned for the 24 th November for
MSAG members and NHS Board executive nominees.
3.2.3 Health Improvement Sub-Group update – Ann Kerr
A group has been formed to take forward this work. Plans are in process to
hold a logic modelling session with the group so as to inform their action plan.
3.2.4 Service User Involvement Report – Rosemary Hill
The report is completed. A summary will be placed on the Scottish Health Service
website in the near future.
3.2.5 Caesarean Sections update – Jim Chalmers
Jim updated the group on data work currently underway in relation to the
incidence of caesarean sections.
3.3
Papers were presented for circulation and information only
3.3.1 Nutrition Strategy update
3.3.2 Neonatal Managed Clinical Networks update
3.3.3 SANDS Petition
4.
Any other business
There was no other business.
5.
Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday 14 January 2011 from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm,
Conference Rooms A & B, St Andrews House, Edinburgh.
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