Basildon Hospital has launched Maternity Direct, a free, web-based app that connects mums-to-be with an NHS midwife.
Expectant mums and registered midwifes can instant message through the app and it also offers appointment reminders.
The app was developed after the Trust found that women had many questions regarding their pregnancy between scheduled midwife appointments and confidence was low with information available online.
The app has been set-up for non-urgent enquiries, to provide information and access to staff if they need to. A record of any chats will be available on the woman’s phone and stored in the Trust’s secure patient record.
Claire Panniker, Chief Executive Officer at Mid and South Essex University Hospitals Group said “I’m very proud of the work the maternity team have done in creating the maternity direct app. To be able to chat online with a midwife and be guaranteed a response in a few hours for those issues that are not an emergency is so reassuring and will give peace of mind to women going through the normal but unexpected developments pregnancy brings.”
Karen Berry, Maternity Commissioner of the Acute Commissioning Team for Mid and South Essex, said “The Maternity App has been tested by our maternity patient partners and will grow and develop, supporting the great work being undertaken in our local maternity community.”
“The app will also offer women information about their choice of maternity services, along with accessibility to personalised care plans and will enhance the continuity of care throughout their pregnancy journey.”
“The development of this app forms part of the BETTER BIRTHS initiative, the aim being to improve outcomes to our mothers and babies.”
The Trust partnered with software developer Acadiant Limited to create Maternity Direct.
