NEW MUMS HAVE THEIR OWN DOCTOR IN HOSPITAL SHAKE-UP

▶ Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi teams up each expectant mother with a consultant to cut waiting times

Mums-to-be at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche Hospital can expect a little extra care from now on as a single consultant will follow each mother throughout her pregnancy.

The hospital is reviewing its services and the new system will help consultants to identify problems at an early stage.

Parents in hospitals across the country often complain of having to see different doctors and specialists throughout a pregnancy.

“It used to be difficult to guarantee the same doctor for the mother, never mind a consultant, but we now have a system where the mother will be followed by the same consultant throughout her pregnancy and after,” Chief medical officer Dr Paul Bosio told The National.

The government-owned hospital reworked its consultants’ schedules, rather than hire more of them.

Each of the hospital’s 26 consultants, from obstetrics and gynaecology, is given a group of mothers for whom they care throughout their term. Their schedule is adjusted to make sure that they always see the same families.

Corniche Hospital has taken steps to improve its systems after crowding in recent years. This year, for example, efforts were made to ensure most patients had their own room.

It also changed its insurance policy in 2014 to only accept UAE nationals carrying the Thiqa card, although it treated non-Emiratis in emergencies.

At the time, its staff was delivering 12,000 babies a year. The busiest maternity unit in the UK, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, delivers about 8,000.

In May this year, Corniche Hospital changed its policy again to welcome all residents. The hospital now delivers about 6,000 babies a year, and over the past four decades has welcomed more than 250,000 into the world.

The popularity of the hospital led to another challenge, with mothers complaining about having to wait for hours before they were seen.

“This was our biggest problem, again as a result of sheer volume, but this has been resolved because of this new model of care,” Dr Bosio said. “Since the consultants see the same patients, they can now control their appointments and scheduling.”

He said waiting times “improved significantly”, with a target time of less than 20 minutes.

“Part of the issue with waiting times is that it is not just a matter of seeing your doctor but also involves a scan,” said Dr Bosio, who has also managed National Health Service hospitals in the UK.

“It is not an excuse but that adds to the challenge. This model of care will resolve two issues – the waiting time and continuity of care for the patient. It is very personalised care that we are offering now.”

Corniche Hospital benefited from competition with the private sector, Dr Bosio said. Private hospitals have taken some of its patients, something which drove up standards.

“Mums expect better and deserve better. We have a completely different model now,” he said.

Dr Bosio said the hospital dealt with emergency cases better than smaller centres.

“Practically anyone in Abu Dhabi with major complications or a baby that’s too small comes to Corniche,” he said.

The hospital also regularly gets referrals from the GCC.

“We are the only hospital in the region that offers invasive neonatal surgery where babies have surgery while inside the womb,” Dr Bosio said. “We belong to the government so we belong to the people.”