The Waikato DHB plans to roll out a new training programme focussing on emergency maternity response at three rural hospitals within the district.

It follows a training day held at Thames Hospital last month which highlighted the benefits of hands-on practice and teamwork for those working in maternity services.

Waikato DHB midwife educator Pip Wright putting her body on the line in the childbirth scenarios which form part of the PROMPT maternity emergency training. Photo: Supplied

The training is based on an internationally respected programme called PROMPT – Practical Obstetric Multi Professional Training – which has been used at Waikato Hospital for some time.

It has now been adapted for use at Thames Hospital and will also be rolled out to hospitals in Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui next year.

Midwife educator Pip Wright says the emergency team training approach is common practice at large hospitals but staff at smaller hospitals have not had the same opportunity until now.

'In a rural area, people who need to respond to a maternity emergency are not necessarily working closely together day-to-day.

'The training brings everyone together - LMC midwives, hospital midwives, emergency department nurses, medical ward nurses, hospital doctors.

Pip says the DHB hopes to extend the invitation to local GPs and St John next year.

She adds they can practice obstetric emergency scenarios using both Thames Birthing Unit and Thames Hospital Emergency Department locations.

'The feedback highlighted that working with staff from other areas was viewed as a real bonus. Those who took part said the experience was excellent.”

The training day included scenarios and lectures, and gave participants the chance to take on a range of roles which helps them work comfortably as a team in a real life emergency.

In an emergency, everyone contributes and communication is vitally important to quickly establish what each person's role is, says Pip

'We use the SBARR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Response) communication checklist which is now a standard tool across Waikato DHB.

'It gives us a consistent way of communicating information about clinical situations, says Pip.

Maternity emergency training is one of a number of improvement initiatives the DHB utilises part of its Maternity Quality and Safety Programme.