Project information
Maternal history taking project
Project no: 52
Key dates
Start date: February 2003
Expected date of publication: January 2004
Key contacts
Project leader: Fiona Dagge-Bell, Senior Midwife (Women and Children)
Project Midwife: Annette Lobo (on secondment from Fife Acute Hospitals Division)
Aims and objectives
Aim:
To develop a best practice statement (BPS) on “maternal history taking”
Objectives:
To set out the who, where, when and how of best practice in relation to maternal history taking
(The content of a maternal history i.e. the what is beyond the remit of this best practice statement. However, this issue is being addressed in the Scottish Woman-Held Maternity Record Project).
Project history
The BPS is being developed following a recognition in various seminal documents (Confidential Enquiry Into Maternal Deaths (CEMD (2001); The Scottish Executive Health Department’s (SEHD) 2001 “Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland”; The SEHD’s 2002 “Report of the Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services” (EGAMS) report) that good history taking with risk and needs assessment is the foundation on which high quality maternity care is built. It is a dynamic process starting when a woman first comes into contact with the maternity services and continues for the duration of her pregnancy. If undertaken with due care and attention it will ensure that each individual woman receives the optimum level of care.
A project group and a wider reference group both comprising of various professionals and user representatives was set up at the commencement of the project. An initial document was drawn up for consultation and discussion and changes made to this and subsequent drafts as consultation proceeded.
The statement has four sections with each element in the sections being supported by reasons for the individual element and a “how to demonstrate being met “ section.
While primarily intended for use by midwives and the staff who support them, it may contribute to multidisciplinary working and other members of the health care team may find it helpful.
As at end November 2003, the statement has been formulated and is in the hands of the publishers with a view to being launched with other best practice statements in early 2004.
References:
Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) (2001) Why mothers die: report on confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in the United Kingdom 1997 – 1999 HMSO London
Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) (2001) A framework for maternity services in Scotland SEHD Edinburgh
Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) (2002) Implementing a framework for maternity services in Scotland: overview report of the expert group on acute maternity services (EGAMS Report) The Stationery Office Edinburgh