The Triumphs & Challenges as a Team of Supervisors of Midwives

1. The Triumphs & Challenges as a Team of Supervisors of Midwives The Team of Supervisors of Midwives at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead Hospital October 2012

2. Background • The team of Supervisors of Midwives (SOM) at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) consist of 15 midwives from varying backgrounds who have a full caseload & participate in the on-call rota • In addition there is one educationalist SOM • One SOM working in Practice Development as part of her flexible retirement • One SOM is an antenatal screening co-ordinator • We currently have one student SOM and are in the process of recruiting for the next cohort of students in January 2013

3. Challenges • To maintain the number of SOMS (and SOM:Midwife ratio) due to a recent increase in turnover - To develop a strategy for appointing and retaining SOMS and ensuring their ongoing professional and personal development

4. Supporting the staff through a very busy year, with a more complex caseload of women and an increasing birth rate Supporting the staff through extreme peaks of activity ‘fresh eyes approach’ - including partial suspension of services Challenges

5. Challenges • Supporting the staff through an organisational change which involved revising the skill mix within the maternity services • midwives reapplying for their jobs • support with interview preparation • being re-banded • The development, introduction and support of new roles – MCA band 3 • Different ways of working – ‘letting go’ of the traditional ways in order to embrace the new

6. Challenges • Protected Time • Each SOM currently has 4 hours per month • Time is needed for activities such as: • Monthly SOM meeting • Annual Supervisory Reviews • Investigating Drug Errors • Undertaking Supported/Supervised Practice • Completing LSA Audits • Meeting with women • Complaints • Mentoring Student SOMS • Meeting and supporting Student Midwives • Supporting Supervisees • Audit and Guidelines • Teaching

7. Triumphs • Provide a 24 hour on-call system • Supporting two midwives, one internal and one external, through a supervised practice programme with a successful outcome • Achieving CNST Level 3 – upholding standards through successfully achieving this • Birth Afterthoughts Service for debriefing women

8. Triumphs • Supporting staff involved in serious SI’s including statement writing and debriefing • Supporting midwives caring for women who make choices and decisions against medical advice e.g. declining IOL, CS, VBAC at home • Supporting women and their partners making an informed choice for their labour and birth experience

9. Triumphs • Introduction of notice boards informing women and their families about Supervision of Midwives and the role of the Supervisor • Continuing development of a North Bristol Trust Supervisor of Midwives web page • NBT Supervisors have received positive feedback from the women who have accessed them

10. Triumphs • Developing the extended role of the Midwife and MCA on the Assessment Unit • The SOMS at NBT have developed a new Guideline called ‘The Role of the Supervisor of Midwives on-call in Excessive Peaks of Activity’ to ensure clarity of the role of the SOM at these times

11. Triumphs • The Supervisors at NBT are involved with: • Antenatal, Intrapartum & Postnatal Clinical Teams • Normal Birth Working Group • Multiprofessional Safeguarding Team • Clinical Governance and Risk Management Forums • Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) • Directorate Health and Safety Committee • PROMPT • Local maternity training – Intrapartum Study Day, Maternity ½ Day Update, Assessment Unit Study Day • Audit and Guidelines • Recruitment process for student midwives • Teaching sessions at UWE – Preparation of Supervisor of Midwives Course

13. Summary The team of Supervisors at North Bristol NHS Trust have a vast and varied wealth of knowledge and experience. Although we face a number of challenges, together as a team we will endeavour to ensure the safety of all Mothers and Babies in our care. The team of Supervisors aim to deliver high quality evidence based standards of midwifery care.

14. Any Questions?