Implementing A Framework for Maternity ... - Scottish Government

Named Midwife A named, qualified midwife who will be responsible for women’s
midwifery care.
Neonatal Period The first 28 days of a baby’s life.
Obstetric The branch of medicine and surgery that deals with pregnancy and
childbirth.
Postnatal After the birth.
Postnatal Period A period not less than 10 days or more than 28 days after the end
of labour, during which time the attendance on the mother and
baby by a midwife is mandatory.
Premature Baby Born before the due date (less than 37 weeks gestation).
Primary Health Care Primary Health Care is health care at the first point of contact with
the Health Service, addressing physical, social and psychological
problems, but also providing continuity of care. The traditional
Primary Health Care Team of General Practitioners working with
nursing, administrative and other support colleagues has largely
been expanded to include colleagues from other agencies and
disciplines relevant to the delivery of care appropriate to the
person’s needs.
Principles A code of direction.
Professional In this report, Professional usually refers to those who have been
specially trained in health care such as the midwife, the GP, the
obstetrician, the anaesthetist, the paediatrician/neonatologist and
the health visitor.
Protocol An adaptation of a clinical guideline or a written statement to meet
local conditions and constraints, which has legal connotations.
Resuscitation The revival of someone who is in cardiac or respiratory failure or
shock.
Screening Mass examination of the population to detect specific illnesses.
Shared Care An agreed arrangement between a GP and an obstetrician, a GP
and a midwife or an obstetrician and a midwife over care for a
pregnant woman.
Strategy A plan or a policy to achieve something.
Supervisor of Midwives A statutory function whereby a midwife who has completed the
appropriate training is appointed to the role of supervisor of
midwives. The role encompasses the provision of support and
guidance for midwives, protection of the public, contribution to the
regulation of the practice of midwives and promotion of high
quality care. Each midwife has a named supervisor of midwives.
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