Implementing A Framework for Maternity ... - Scottish Government

8. There is no such thing as ‘zero risk’ for women who are pregnant or giving birth;
an element of risk applies to all pregnancies and childbirth.
9. Women must be informed about risk with unbiased, evidence-based information to
help them decide where to give birth. Professionals should balance maternal choice,
demand and need against assessment of risks and available services.
10. Maternity care professionals should adopt risk-assessment and management skills as
core responsibilities.
11. Professionals at all levels of maternity care must have appropriate training and should
have access to regular continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities to
equip them with the competencies and skills they need to provide high quality, safe
care for women in childbirth (intrapartum care).
12. Networks of services for intrapartum care should be developed on a consistent local,
regional and national basis across Scotland, identifying entry points, referral pathways,
levels of care, transport services and communication pathways.
13. Information management and communication should be developed to aid the planning,
provision and monitoring of intrapartum care throughout Scotland.
14. All maternity units must describe the level of service they offer within the tiered
framework of intrapartum care set out in A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland.
This description should include the maternity unit’s role and remit within the wider
local and regional network of maternity services for childbirth, neonatal and maternal
postnatal care.
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