NHS Fife receives praise and criticism relating to childbirth.

Staff trained to cut number of serious blood losses for women in childbirth

An innovative project in Fife designed to reduce the number of women suffering serious haemorrhages during childbirth has received national recognition.

NHS Fife’s work in improving safety for women giving birth who may be at risk of serious blood loss has been commended by NHS Scotland, with the health board taking home the Safe Award at this year’s NHS Scotland Awards.

Serious haemorrhage in childbirth is not only extremely distressing for women and their families but is a leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide.

Rates are also increasing, which prompted NHS Fife consultant obstetrician Dr Jennifer Boyd to develop a new approach in the region to try and tackle the problem.

The initiative has seen a 60% cut in the number of women suffering serious blood loss in Fife, while there has also been a fall in the number of less serious haemorrhages.

Dr Boyd said: “This initiative has seen many different teams working together in Fife to reduce the risk of haemorrhage in labour.

“Whilst numbers of women experiencing severe haemorrhage are small, the impact of such an event can be extremely serious.

“Identifying women at potential risk at an early stage and ensuring there is reliable and safe care and management plans in place has made a significant and positive difference.

“We are continuing to work to reduce risk factors for haemorrhage further, alongside improving antenatal health.”

Teams in the maternity unit at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital have worked together to improve risk assessments and early recognition and response so systems are in place to manage the condition if it arises.

As a result, all women in labour, along with women undergoing an induction or elective Caesarean, now have their risk assessed throughout labour, with care plans put in place.

In addition, staff have been given training as part of the project.

Dr Boyd acceptedthe Quality of Care – Safe Award from Paul Gray, chief executive of NHS Scotland and director general of health and social care.

The project has also been recognised by the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare at its annual conference in London.

Whilst numbers of women experiencing severe haemorrhage are small, the impact of such an event can be extremely serious

Picture: John Young. Dr Jennifer Boyd receiving NHS Fife’s safety award at the NHS Scotland Awards from Paul Gray, the organisation’s chief executive.