Maternity safety in practice seminar series
There is a level of concern about the safety of maternity care in England – a number of reports have pointed to shortcomings in some services, and the recent comprehensive review by the Healthcare Commission underlined the variability in the quality of care in different units around the country. While the overwhelming majority of services are safe, midwives, obstetricians and other professionals face the challenge of developing ways of working that improve the way care is organised and delivered to ensure maternity care is as safe as it could be. In response to these concerns, the King's Fund set up an independent inquiry in 2006 into the safety of NHS maternity services in England. A report containing a series of recommendations will be published at the end of February 2008.
This low-cost series of three good practice seminars will take a closer look at the specific issues raised by the inquiry, including: staffing and safe teams, using information, and making clinical guidance work to support safety. The seminars will share learning through best practice case studies which delegates can take back to their own teams and units.
The series is part of the King's Fund's commitment to working with organisations, professionals and maternity units in a concerted effort to improve standards of safety in maternity care.