The Welsh authorities is investing £7m to create a unified digital system for country-wide maternity companies, which is ready to enhance the care that ladies and their infants obtain.
Below the brand new digital system, important details about the well being of pregnant ladies and their unborn infants will likely be shared shortly. As well as, the brand new system will assist the supply of well timed messages to expectant mums to assist assist a wholesome being pregnant. Plus mothers-to-be may also achieve entry to their data.
The programme was introduced by Well being Minister Eluned Morgan, who said: “A number of latest evaluations of maternity companies in Wales and the UK have known as for the creation of a unified digital system.”
At present, the varied Welsh well being boards use completely different methods – each digital and paper-based. The creation of a single, digital system for Wales signifies that healthcare professionals can shortly share important info with different professionals concerned in a lady’s care., which is able to assist protected, efficient and seamless care whereas additionally decreasing the danger of potential problems.
The transfer will likely be welcomed by many, who imagine the digitisation of maternity records is long overdue.
The system is anticipated to be rolled out throughout the nation inside the subsequent two to 3 years. Formal procurement has but to begin, however a discovery challenge has already seen engagement with clinicians and repair customers to know their views.
A market evaluation has additionally been accomplished by a digital maternity programme workforce, to higher perceive the potential choices for options.
Morgan continued: “This new system will likely be safer and extra environment friendly because of sooner, higher info sharing.
“It is going to give ladies far more management over their maternity data and permit them to suggestions to midwives and medical doctors a lot sooner, by way of an app that may have data of all their discussions with well being professionals.
“Enhancements in accuracy of knowledge assortment may also permit well being boards to higher plan companies.”
As soon as rolled out the brand new digital answer will permit pregnant sufferers digital entry to their maternity notes by way of the NHS Wales App and web site. The NHS Wales App is at present in beta section with 1,000 sufferers now trialling it.
Digital entry for Welsh sufferers will embrace the flexibility for sufferers to obtain related well being recommendation, reminders and essential medical messages.
Sue Tranka, chief nursing officer for Wales, mentioned: “Throughout the course of their being pregnant, ladies will see a number of completely different midwives and medical doctors generally throughout completely different well being boards, so having one all-Wales digital system will make the journey a lot smoother.
“It is going to additionally cut back forms and duplication, liberating up extra time for these well being professionals to deal with folks.
“Through the App we can ship pregnant ladies well being recommendation, reminders for issues like getting flu jabs in addition to essential private medical messages.”
The Welsh plan echoes an analogous strategy for England – the place £52m was earmarked for the provision of online maternity records in 2021. This funding helps a Lengthy Time period Plan dedication to allow digital entry to maternity notes for all by 2023/24.
