PREGNANT women will now be able to access a real-time summary of their maternity notes at their fingertips.
An innovative maternity app which has replaced paper records has been introduced by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
The development means there will be support for women from their first contact in antenatal care through to the delivery of their baby and postnatal care.
It also means information can be shared directly with expectant mums from the maternity system and they can also add personalised information – such as plans and preferences for birth – which can be discussed with their midwife.
The app can be used on their smart phones, tablet device or PC.
Midwives at the Trust say the secure BadgerNet system will improve the quality of care given to mums, while also helping staff work more efficiently.
Lead midwife for BadgerNet Zoe Durall said: “The use of Badgernet means when an expectant mum is seen by midwives in the community or arrives in the maternity department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, all the details of her pregnancy can be seen in real-time, from any location.
“These can be easily updated at each maternity visit or appointment, in either a community or hospital setting.”
New mum Claire Aspinall said: “I feel the app allows better continuity of care and convenience. I can see how having the notes more accessible at any time will improve care.
“This is the modern world and all the information is to hand. It’s great that the care can be wrapped around the woman and be personalised.”
The Trust says all information is held securely and cannot be accessed without the appropriate login details, similar to internet banking.
Registration details are available on the Trust website at www.worcsacute.nhs.uk, while for anyone unable to use the app a Summary Record and appointment card is also available.
