Childbirth mannequins introduced to improve maternity care
West Midlands Ambulance Service is leading the way in training staff.
Last updated 19th Oct 2023
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has introduced five new state-of-the-art childbirth simulator mannequins to help improve the training of staff in maternity care.
The mannequins allow real-time monitoring of blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, respiratory rate and heart rate of the mother.
They also provides ambulance staff with true-to-life clinical experiences and the most realistic scenarios possible when it comes to maternity patients.
They've been unveiled at a roadshow, which is part of a Maternity Month initiative, with workshops and talks from guest speakers including neonatologists, obstetricians, midwives, and pre-hospital doctors.
WMAS Maternity Lead, Steph Henry, said: “The mannequins are incredible pieces of equipment that will undoubtedly help improve the confidence and competency of our staff when attending obstetric emergencies.
“We have been very privileged to have secured talks from a number of specialists for our Roadshow and I hope all of the staff who attend will take a lot from it and give them more confidence when providing pre-hospital maternity care.”
The initiative by WMAS was introduced after the trust reviewed its procedures in response to the death of newborn Kate Stanton-Davies in March 2009, six hours after birth.
The trust consulted with Kate’s parents, Rhiannon Davies and Richard Stanton, to understand more about their situation so practical steps could be taken to improve the service provided to patients.
Other improvements introduced include Maternity Champions at 14 ambulance hubs which has increased the quality and number of maternity training sessions available.
Cuddle pockets have also been added for the safe transportation of miscarried babies and trans-warmer mattresses in ambulances, with the aim of reducing the number of babies born before arrival at hospital developing hypothermia.
Ms. Davies and Mr Stanton said: “Following our catastrophic experience in 2009 and the death of our daughter Kate, we struggled to have the many questions we had relating to her care answered. It wasn’t until after Kate’s inquest in 2012, when the failings were laid bare, that WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, got in touch.
“Although WMAS’ actions were in no way contributory to Kate’s avoidable death, he was genuinely appalled at what had befallen us as a family and wanted to learn all lessons he possibly could to ensure no other family went what we went through.
“Mr Marsh has continued to listen to us, to engage with us, to take our ideas forward and advance the care his paramedics are able to offer. We are proud of each of the changes we have influenced on behalf of Kate. And we are equally proud of the entire WMAS family for being committed to advancing their learning and for the continuous improvements they just keep on making.
“It is our privilege to be invited to continue to support the Mr Marsh and all WMAS colleagues as they lead the country in the training of ambulance staff in maternity care.”