Women can now book pregnancy care online
06 August 2015
Health Care
A new online maternity booking system, developed by the hospital’s IT department, is going live during August as part of the trust’s transformation programme for the women’s and children’s directorate.
Women no longer need to see a GP to be referred for maternity
care. The new online system will provide a quick and convenient way
to access maternity services, as self-referrals can be completed
any time of the day, using a computer or most mobile and tablet
devices.
The new system will include automatic referral to the smoking
cessation service, with an opt-out option for women who don't wish
to be referred. In addition, to reduce the number of wasted
appointments, there is a facility for women who have been attending
the fertility clinic to cancel their outstanding appointment now
that they are pregnant.
Deborah Edwards, co-ordinator of the pregnancy booking line, who
has been leading the project, said: "We are excited to be
introducing the online referral facility - it brings our maternity
services truly into the 21st century by providing a service that
meets the demand of women in the Southend area as well as others
who choose to use our service.
"Once we receive the information, a midwife from the pregnancy
booking line phones to discuss and take consent for the antenatal
screening blood tests, give advice and confirm their named
midwife. By providing information in advance, using our
secure website, we will reduce the amount of time that calls take
by up to 15 minutes. We can then use this time on the phone
with women who need extra reassurance or who have additional
questions - it's all about individualised care and facilitating
informed choice."
PHOTO: Project leader, Debbie Edwards (far left) and her
team.