Implementing A Framework for Maternity ... - Scottish Government

Principles
1.1 Acute maternity services in Scotland should be planned and commissioned on a
regional basis by Regional Service Planning Groups, taking account of NHS Boards’
local plans. The RSPGs should monitor implementation of regional plans by NHS
Boards and Trusts. They should also work in alliance with other regions.
1.2 Regional Service Planning Groups should set up appropriate mechanisms to involve
stakeholders in planning and commissioning maternity services within regions, led by
dedicated Regional Maternity Services Co-ordinators.
3. Regional networks of acute maternity services should be underpinned by robust and effective
multi-disciplinary and cross team working. They should become key centres for innovation,
change and practice development, pursuing clinical excellence in all aspects of care and
driving forward policy and research agendas. They should be exploring new ways of delivering
services to meet their population’s needs, and should be in the vanguard of new and extended
roles for clinical practitioners. Ultimately, they will set the standard for maternity services
in Scotland.
4. But it is vital that they do not operate in isolation. Alliances, partnerships and networks
with other regions will be necessary to ensure consistency in the standard of care delivered
throughout Scotland. The EGAMS concluded that regional service networks should consider
how best to ensure co-ordination and co-operation across regional services. Arrangements
should be made to ensure that Regional Maternity Co-ordinators throughout Scotland meet
on a regular basis.
Care networks
5. Good communication and the integration of services are central to the provision of quality
maternity care throughout Scotland. Local, regional and national networks provide a vehicle
through which this can be achieved.
6. Networks allow maternity care professionals from different levels of service to work together
to ensure the provision of high-quality, clinically effective services throughout Scotland.
They enable professionals to look beyond the constraints of professional, organisational
and geographical boundaries to develop services which are of a consistently high quality
across the country, and foster a genuine multi-disciplinary approach. They also provide an
infrastructure on which to base a framework of tiered care in maternity services with clear
and explicit communication and referral pathways.
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