Health tech updates in the maternity space have been seen at multiple NHS trusts in recent weeks, with digital maternity app Badger Notes rolled out at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, and North Bristol NHS Trust.
Badger Notes allows users to view a week-by-week pregnancy timeline, access readings recommended by midwifes and maternity resources, and view appointments and information linked from the patient record. In addition, the app provides a space for users to record thoughts and questions about care for midwives to review, and supports users in building a personalised care plan with midwives including preferences for before, during and after birth.
North Tees and Hartlepool is also implementing electronic record system BadgerNet as part of the roll out, replacing the current paper system and allowing patients to access, view and update records digitally as well as providing clinicians with a single source of information.
Laura Stephenson, North Tees and Hartlepool digital midwife, says: “We’re thrilled to be rolling out this new portal and helping to empower our expectant mums and their families throughout their maternity journey with us. The app is very easy to use and we hope that our patients will notice the benefits of the new system. It will help us to place families at the very heart of their own maternity care, throughout their pregnancy and beyond.”
Sarah Windfeld, director of midwifery and nursing at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, comments that “well-established system” will “complement service users’ experiences as they move through their pregnancy journey. It will also support our colleagues by filing information and maternity records in one place, stream-lining processes.”
She adds: “We want to ensure all our maternity service users are supported and will ensure those who do not have easy access to the app/technology remain on the traditional, paper route, so no one is left behind.”
In July, NHS England announced a targeted call for innovations in a range of areas including maternity, which are already in use in at least one site, supported by an evidence base, and ready to spread across the NHS.
Earlier this month, NHS England shared the papers from its latest board meeting, with discussion highlighting the role of digital, data and technology in a number of key areas including improving safety in maternity care.
