May 2005

Pregnancy pilot project

Sunshine Hospital has launched an innovative pilot project designed to equip pregnant women with a record of their pregnancy and birth care.

The record is designed to fit into a woman’s handbag.

It includes information such as pregnancy history, test results, birth plan and preferences, health assessment, consumer information and a glossary of key words associated with maternity care.

Each woman who comes to Sunshine Hospital for maternity care will receive a hand-held maternity record.

Western Health Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Jennifer Gale said the Victorian Maternity Record pilot project being trialled at seven hospitals across the state aimed to inform clinicians and engage women in their maternity care.

‘Women see a range of different people for their care and this record is designed to assist communication and coordination between everyone.

‘It will also give women an overview of their care to help them know what they can expect,’ Ms Gale said.

‘This pilot gives women, clinicians and midwives a chance to refine the record as it is being used and to find a better way of doing things.’

Sunshine Hospital is the host for the Department of Human Services-funded project, which involves six other hospitals statewide—Mildura Base, the Angliss, Mercy Hospital for Women, Kyneton District Health Service, Orbost Regional Health Service and Seymour Hospital.

The statewide 10-month pilot will involve 6,000 women and 1,000 clinicians including obstetricians, GPs and midwives.