Draft Action Note
28th March 2017, 7pm, Caithness General Hospital
Present:
Name / Representing (*)Alison Brooks / GP
Debbie Pottinger / Member of public
Eric Green / NHS Highland
(Head of Estates)
Jim McPherson / Bower Community Council
Janette MacDonald / NHS Highland
(Maternity Care Assistant)
Joan Miller / Member of public
John Calder / Castletown Community Council
Kerri-Ann Roberts / NHS Highland
(Infant Feeding Support Worker
Kirsteen Campbell / CHAT
Linda Malik / Tannach and District Community Council
Liz More / CHAT
Lucy Caird / Consultant Obstetrician/ Clinical Lead for CMU
Lynne Duff / CHAT
Maimie Thompson / NHS Highland
(Head of PR and Engagement) – Interim Chair
Mary Burnside / NHS Highland
(Lead Midwife, North & West)
Maureen Forbes / Member of public
Rona Morrison / NHS Highland
(Midwife)
Sonya Mindt / Tannach and District Community Council
Dr Clark / Out of Hours Doctor
(*) –Members are responsible for cascading information to the people they are representing
Apologies
Graham Cormack / Scottish Ambulance ServiceJohn Sutherland / Wick Community Council
Cara Birnie / Midwife, NHS Highland
- Themed Item
There was a Q&A session on what happens in emergency situations. Theprocedures, trainingandback-up support were described by clinical colleagues. Dr Caird updated on developments through monitoring, modern practice and medicines mean maternal deaths are now extremely rare, such as through pre-eclampsia. Clarification was sought on whether there will continue to be 24/7 A&E cover in Caithness General. It was confirmed that there will be.
There was also a discussion on how scenarios such as discharge times and single mothers. Circumstances vary and these need to be considered when the birth is being planned.Support from friends, family and neighbours was discussed. It was emphasised that the Midwifery Team would exercise judgement around discharge times from the unit and any implications for the mum, be they single or otherwise.
Post Meeting Note re a query that was raised after the meeting
Q. is the CMU the suitable for single mothers?
A. Yes
Action – Identify any actions to provide reassurance over any matters of ongoing concern
Action – Expressions of interest for other topics or Agenda items to be sent to Maimie by 14th April
- Work streams
2.1.Accommodation
Update on what is available was circulated prior to the meeting.
This groups will familiarise themselves with options available; developing a protocol or flow chart around how to access accommodation (in hours and out of hours); confirm any accommodation not appropriate. Work with NHS Highland Estates to inform the refurbishment of property. There will be some overlap with the Group looking into the role of Liaison Officer and patient/family experience
Leads: Lynne Duff, Joan Miller and Eric Green (+ Mary Burnside and Maimie to support)
2.2Transport and Access
Maimie provided an update that NHS Highland and Scottish Ambulance, through both chief executives are working to agree additional investment to address the issues of increased hospital transfers. This should be confirmed imminently (see below).
This work stream will consider all elements including planning and communication for different scenarios as well as transport availability. It was discussed that if you put in additional investment what the things that would make a difference are. While there is community transport schemes these are for travel within Caithness. The 4x4 schemes and possibility of securing funding from a range of sources will also be explored.
Leads: Linda Malik, CHAT member, Graham Cormack (+ Identify any additional support)
Post Meeting Note
On 30th March Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Highland confirming additional investment to increase ambulance provision in Caithness.It is available to read at
2.3Policies and Procedures
Work is underway on a Patient Group Directive (protocol that allows nurses & midwives to give some prescription medicines) for the use of pain relief medication for pain in labour. It was raised that epidural is not always available in RaigmoreLabour Suite.
Women should be made aware of this andit was agreed that patient friendly information should be developed regarding pain relief options. Once drafted it will be shared with work stream on patient experience and communications to agree how to consult wider and share.
Leads: Maureen Forbes, CMU midwives and Mary Burnside
2.4Liaison Officer
It was confirmed that someone has been identified to pilot the role of Liaison Officer in Raigmore. It was agreed it would be important to shape the role and make people aware.The name of the Liaison Officer is Rachel MacDonald and she will start in the role on Monday 3rd April.
Leads: Liz More, Rachel MacDonald, Maimie Thompson and Caron Cruickshank (*)
(*) Caron is Divisional Midwifery/Nurse Manager Woman and Child Health, Raigmore Hospital
2.5Experience and Communications
Approach and plan to measuring feed-back needs to be considered. It was suggested that a mixed approach would be helpful such as surveys; 1:1, small groups. There are a range of tools that can be considered including surveys as part of national reviews.Consideration should be given to commissioning some external research.
Leads: Kerri-Ann Roberts, Debbie Pottinger, CMU midwife and Maimie Thompson
(Liaise with University of Stirling, NHS Highland Public Health and Clinical Governance)
2.6Measuring Improvement
The whole ethos should be around continuous quality improvement. Therefore it is important for each group to be clear on they are trying to improve and how this will be monitored.
2.7Independent Chair of Group
Position still not confirmed. Expressions of interest will be considered at next meeting
2.8Media Release
Maimie to issue and circulate to the group
2.9AOCB
Linda Malik proposed that cases about individual people should not be brought to or discussed at the meeting. This is to ensure confidentiality as well as to make sure group is working from factual information not second hand. This was approved and will be included in the Terms of Reference
Action – Maimie to amend Terms of Reference
Kirsteen requested work plan to include updates/actions on Gynaecology
Action – Maimie to discuss with Kirsteen, Mary and Lucy
2.10Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 25th April, 7PM, Caithness General Hospital
Noted drafted by Maimie Thompson
30th March 2017
Annex 1 Actions agreed at meeting on 28th February with summary of progress
Action/Work streams / Progress as at 28th March / StatusCirculate Action Note
Terms of Reference / Revised version ratified at meeting / Available on website
Confirm if contact details can be shared / Confirmed
Members to cascade information / Actioned
Financial appraisal of different models / Out with scope of meeting / John and Nicola to discuss
Update on Accommodation / Eric Green updated, written summary on website; leads identified to oversee work / Action plan to be developed by leads
Transport / Leads identified to oversee work / Action plan to be developed by leads by next meeting
Policies and Procedures / Information Leaflet regarding pain relief to be developed and draft shared / Ongoing
Liaison Officer based in Raigmore / Confirmed; leads identified to oversee work / Action plan to be developed by leads by next meeting
Experience of care/ Patient Information / Leads identified to oversee work / Action plan to be developed by leads by next meeting
Baby Boxes / Agree distribution once boxes completed / Update at next meeting
Independent Chair of Group / Expressions of interest being sought / Update at next meeting
Membership of Group / Actioned / Remains open for others to join
Distribution of Notes / Circulated 8th March
- Members of Group
- Programme Board
- AoCC
- Caithness Community Partnership
Media Release / Issued, 2nd March / Here
Draft notes from meeting held on 28thMarch 2017; issued 30 March 2017