Kayleigh Astley

My Topol fellowship problem / project:

Personalised care means increased choice and control, providing a positive shift in power and decision making that increases informed choice and better connections between the service user and care provider. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, the ability for a service user to self-refer has been highlighted as a commitment to make personalised care standards across the maternity system. Better Births suggests that “Women should be able to choose the provider of their antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care and be in control of exercising those choices through their own NHS Personal Maternity Care Budget”.

With this in mind, I will be developing a self-referral online tool that sends referrals directly to the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Community Team. A single referral system (informing of a new pregnancy) will improve efficiency and access to women, assisting in the increased late bookings within the Coventry and Rugby area. The initial referral the tool will also enable the service user to go on to develop a personalised care plan with their midwife and other health professionals, which sets out their care choices/preferences. This may go on to reflect upon wider health needs and future progresses throughout the pregnancy. This will be in line with the Ockenden immediate actions such as “Listening to women and their families and informed consent”.