Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are going live with an app for pregnancy notes this week.
The trusts will use the Badger Notes app to replace paper-based maternity notes, in a joint project between the two trusts.
As part of the transition to the new service for those further along on their pregnancy, a paper process will remain an option, and from today the app will be offered to those who book their first midwife or GP appointment.
One of the benefits the trusts note is that “information can be shared securely and more easily between the two trusts, should anyone who is pregnant need to receive care from the other hospital at any point during pregnancy”.
The trusts added: “The new digital record system enables people to view extracts of information from their pregnancy record in real time and log key pregnancy events. They will be able to capture their choices of what they want to happen at each stage, learn more about their baby’s development and access information recommended by their midwife. They will also be able to view booked appointments and submit thoughts or questions about antenatal and postnatal care to review with their team at their next appointment.”
Sharon Wallis, Director of Midwifery at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, commented: “The new system will make a huge difference to expectant parents because it enables them to access their maternity records at any time. They can also share key information directly with our staff such as feedback around pregnancy and their birth experiences. This valuable information helps us to continue to shape our services.”
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has also announced the appointment of Andy Callow as Chief Digital and Information Officer. Andy is set to join the trust in January 2023 from his role at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, where he is Group Chief Digital Information Officer and Interim Group Chief Executive.
During Andy’s time at Kettering and Northampton general hospitals, he supported progress towards a group electronic patient record, helped develop a robotic process automation centre of excellence at Northampton General Hospital, supported the development of digital clinical systems that enable front line staff to use hand-held devices to record patients’ progress as it happens, and supported moving to cloud-based digital storage. Andy also supported the introduction of Microsoft Teams to support staff communication during the pandemic, and aligned email and information sharing systems across the two hospitals. In addition he was also Executive Sponsor for the REACH (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) network working with staff to champion diversity in all its forms.
