Continuity of Care and Carer

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the health and social care system and of different settings for midwifery and maternity care, and the impact of these on women, newborn infants, partners and families

How you demonstrated this:

You demonstrate your proficiency by recognising the potential benefits of midwifery led care for Hayley and ensuring she has the opportunity to understand how the MLU operates and how midwifery led care will support her.

You also demonstrate the linked skills from Domain 6, particularly 6.8 as you have:

• Discussed with Hayley and Chris their options for the place of birth
• You've supported Hayley's decision
• You will regularly review this with Hayley and colleagues as her pregnancy progresses.

While you are caring for Haley, you are also demonstrating the values within the Code by:

• Treating Hayley as an individual
• Upholding her dignity
• Listening and responding to her preferences and concerns.

By doing the above, you're making sure that her physical, social and psychological needs are assessed and responded to.

You're also respecting Hayley's right to privacy by carring out her booking visit in the designated room in the MLU. She will go home with her own confidential, hand-held records that you have both worked through during her 'booking' appointment as well as her details being held on the secure IT system, ensuring confidentiality.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different ways of organising midwifery and maternity care, and the potential positive and negative impact of these on safety and effectiveness, and on women, their newborn infants, partners and families

How you demonstrated this:

You have given Hayley the opportunity to discuss the range of options of where to give birth based on her needs, views and preferences. In line with the Code, you are acting in Hayley’s best interests having listened to her concerns and knowing the most recent evidence about continuity of care and carer.

The work that you did in collaboration to develop the MLU demonstrates that as described in Enabling professionalism, you are incorporating up-to-date evidence in daily practice, are sharing and disseminating evidence-informed practice and working innovatively.

Demonstrate the ability to work in and across a range of health and social care settings and with other health and social care staff to promote continuity of care and carer.

How you demonstrated this: 

By working in the MLU you will have daily interaction with a range of other healthcare professionals that work and support women and families within the maternity context.

When arranging Hayley's scan, you're demonstrating the linked skills from Domain 6.9 of identifying, contacting, and communicating effectively with colleagues from your health and social care settings, ensuring continuity of care.

You're communicating clearly as in the Code. You have transferred authority to the ultrasonographer as one registered professional to another to perform the ultrasound scan as in our Delegation and accountability which is supplementary information to the NMC code.

Demonstrate the ability to provide continuity of midwifery carer across the whole continuum of care and in diverse settings for women and newborn infants with and without complications and additional care needs.

How you demonstrated this: 

You were part of the team that worked with the local Maternity Voices Partnership to increase the diversity of settings in your maternity service.

You demonstrate the ability to provide continuity of care and carer as Hayley progresses through her pregnancy as part of the team and liaising with other colleagues in the event of their input being needed to her care for example the ultra-sonographer carrying out the next scan.

You've shown that as in Domain 6.11, you identify resources relevant to the needs of Hayley and her baby, in this case an ultrasound scan, and support and enable her to access these as needed.

Demonstrate the ability to be the coordinator of care within the wider interdisciplinary and multiagency teams, arranging a seamless transfer of care when midwifery care is complete.

How you demonstrated this: 

Throughout Hayley’s maternity journey co-ordination of care will continue within the team. This is to ensure her mental, physical, psychological, social and spiritual care needs are met within your midwifery team and from the interdisciplinary and multiagency teams.

You are also demonstrating the responsibility outlined in Domain 4: The midwife has specific responsibility for continuity and co-ordination of care, providing ongoing midwifery care as part of the interdisciplinary team, and acting as an advocate for women and newborn infants to ensure that they are always the focus of care.

When you transfer Hayley’s care to community care, you will be demonstrating Domain 6.12. Which is to arrange for effective transfer of care for the woman and newborn infant, as needed, and when midwifery care is complete.

Demonstrate an understanding of the need for an ongoing focus on the promotion of public health and well-being of women and newborn infants, their partners and families across all settings.

How you demonstrated this: 

Hayley might share a number of concerns about the forthcoming birth as she is keen to avoid a forceps delivery this time.

You will be able to support her in several ways during her pregnancy to plan for this birth. This support could include working together on movement and exercise, doing a birth plan, attending hypnobirthing sessions locally and consideration of using the birthing pool to help during labour and birth.

You're also demonstrating that you're following Domain 6.10. This domain is to consistently plan, implement, and evaluate care that considers the needs of women and newborn infants together. You can also demonstrate Domain 6.13, which is to inform and update interdisciplinary (so far with Hayley, this is the ultrasonagrapher) and multiagency colleagues about changes in care needs and care planning, and update records accordingly.