Independent Midwives NHSmail Project

Background

Whilst the NHS number is accessible electronically at the point of birth notification via NN4B inNHS maternity units, independent midwives and some community midwives are unable toaccess NN4B and rely on the child health administrator, in the responsible PCT to notify thebirth and generate the baby's NHS number on their behalf. Both notification of birth and NHSnumber are usually dispatched by post, which causes delay. All babies entitled to NHS care are entitled to the normally offered screening tests; this includesbabies born to women who have opted for care from independent (self-employed) midwives.Implementing mandatory use of NHS number for screening meant that babies delivered by independent midwives were at risk of being tested outside of 5-8 days standard or subject to repeat requests because the baby's NHS number was not recorded on the blood spot.

Project aim

The aim of the project was to facilitate secure transfer of birth notification from independent midwives to child health records departments and prompt return of the baby's NHS number to the midwife, in time for newborn blood spot screening on day 5 (date of birth is day 0).

Project objectives

To set up NHSmail email accounts for two independent midwives in order to test the conceptTo set up a system that delivers timely access to the baby's NHS number by replacing postal services with secure email. To transfer the test accounts to an NHS administrator and plan for rollout if successful

Project team

The team comprised representatives from the UK Newborn Screening Programme Centre, Independent Midwives UK, LSA Officers, Child Health Records Departments, NHSmail and the Regional Antenatal and Child Health Screening Teams.

The pilot project was confined to England and only child health records departments with NHSnet could participate, as end-to-end secure access is required.

Results

The project ran from July to December 2010. Sixteen babies were born under the care of the independent midwives and all had their NHS numbers returned in time for screening; the mean time was 1.56 days and range 0-5 days.

All midwives and child health administrators found NHSmail an improvement on previous methods and indicated they would like to continue.

Midwives said it was a great advantage to have an electronic record of having despatched the birth notification and regional team members felt if universally adopted it could improve communication channels.

At the National Forum in October 2010, the LSA Midwifery Officers, agreed to support NHSmail accounts for independent midwives.

To close the project the NHSmail accounts needed to transfer from test account to the LSA/SHA. This was realised for the two midwives in the project on 30th March 2011.

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Independent Midwives NHSmail Project Report - May 2011 105KB - Posted by: Emma Scott - 13/05/2011   This report also includes guidance for implementation.

 

Letter to Child Health Records Departments 30KB - Posted by: Cathy Coppinger - 18/04/2011   To ensure secure transfer of birth notification and baby's NHS number, end to end use of NHSmail accounts is... more » To ensure secure transfer of birth notification and baby's NHS number, end to end use of NHSmail accounts is required. The account must be checked each working day and Independent Midwives and Child Health Departments should use read receipt functionality when sending clinical data. This draft letter can be customised to send to local child health records department to inform them of the project and confirm access to a generic NHS account.