Repetition

Booking paperwork or, why I don’t have enough time for my women –

1. Complete a Registration form. Name, Address, Phone numbers, DOB, NHS number, LMP, EDD, G.P, Practice number, Named midwife, Hospital booking at, Lead professional, Obstetric history, Medical history, BMI.
2. Fill out green notes. Name (on every page), Address, Phone numbers, DOB, NHS number, LMP & EDD (on 3 pages), Next of kin, Emergency contact, Lead professional, Hospital booking at, G.P, Named midwife, Contact numbers for hospital (Switchboard, antenatal clinic, labour ward, community midwives office). That’s the 1st page completed! Personal details, Partners details, Ethnicity, Full medical history, Family medical details, Previous pregnancies, parity, Blood and screening tests checklist and consent obtained, Summary of timings of scheduled antenatal appointments, blood tests, ultrasounds. Height, weight, BMI, record of booking blood pressure, special features. Name of booking midwife & signature x 3.
3. Complete NHS Family origin questionnaire form (triplicate, copies to be attached to notes & blood forms). Name, address, DOB, NHS number, G.P, EDD, Hospital.
4. Complete blood request forms x 5. Name, address, DOB, NHS number, Phone number, G.P, Practice number, Hospital booked at, EDD, parity, gestation.
5. Complete maternity exemption certificate. EDD, Midwives PIN number & name. Signature.
6. Complete scan request forms x 2. Name, Address, DOB, NHS number, Phone number, G.P, Practice number, Hospital booked at, EDD, Date of previous scans.
7. Record in caseload register. Name, Address, DOB, NHS number, Phone number, G.P, Practice number, Hospital booked at, Lead professional, EDD, intended feeding method
8. Fill out front page of hospital notes Name, Address, DOB, NHS number, Phone number, G.P, Practice number, Lead professional, EDD.

Can anyone see the real frustration about this?

In today’s computer age, where a one off entry could print off everything required, I spend precious time writing out the same information over and over again. What is truly gauling is that one of the sections I have to complete involves an explanation of data protection and how the provided information may be used – ” to monitor health trends, strive towards the highest standards, increase our understanding of adverse outcomes, make recommendations for improving maternity care “. Hang on, what was that last item? “To make recommendations for improving maternity care”. Well I’ve got a really easy suggestion for them, free up the midwives to practice midwifery by cutting down on the paperwork repetition.

Want to see the green pregnancy notes, which are now supposed to be used nationally? Here’s the link.

 

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