Using support workers to release time for qualified midwives in maternity care

Brown, Maureen MA, BSc, RM, RN
Lees, Susan MSc, BSc, RM, RN
Law, Susan MSc, BSc, RM, RN
Mills, Natalie MSc, BSc, RN
McCalmont, Carmel MA, PGCert, BSc, RM, RN

AUTHORS Maureen Brown, MA, BSc, RM, RN, is associate head of nursing, midwifery and healthcare; Susan Lees, MSc, BSc, RM, RN, and Susan Law, MSc, BSc, RM, RN, are senior lecturers; Natalie Mills, MSc, BSc, RN, is head of continuing professional development; all at Coventry University. Carmel McCalmont, MA, PGCert, BSc, RM, RN, is divisional nurse and head of midwifery, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust.

Nursing Times 106(43):p 22, November 2, 2010.

ABSTRACT

Brown M et al (2010) Using support workers to release time for qualified midwives in maternity care.Nursing Times;106: 43, 22-24. Maternity services must meet the demands of an increasingly diverse and rapidly growing population. Recent policy changes mean midwives are taking on roles formerly performed by doctors, leaving maternity support workers to undertake many traditional midwifery tasks. This article discusses how MSWs can facilitate choice by helping midwives deliver a flexible, personalised service to childbearing women and how the MSW role has developed.

Childbearing women should receive a personalised service that meets their needs. For this to occur, we need to embrace the assistance of well trained support workers