FORWARDED FROM ALLSTAT

Date: 
        Thu, 2 Nov 2000 13:48:37 +0000 (GMT)
  From: 
        Alison Macfarlane
<[log in to unmask]>
    To: 
        [log in to unmask]


This is a message from Carol Paeglis of the Maternity Care Data Project.
Please reply to her at [log in to unmask] or via the web site
she mentions rather than to me.

______________________________________________________________________
                
The Maternity Care Data Project - A Progress Report

The guiding principle of the NHS Information Strategy "Information for
Health" (NHSE 1998) is that:-
        "Better care for patients, and improved health for everyone 
 depend on the availability of good information, accessible 
 when and where it is needed"

Do we have good information in maternity? Is it accessible where and
when we need it? In a lot of cases, the answer is no. 

Much of the data that are currently collected during Maternity episodes
of care are being recorded inconsistently, making it impossible to
extract reliable information to monitor trends in care and the outcomes
of care across the NHS. Also, a lot of maternity data is collected
repeatedly, causing unnecessary work for staff and repetition for
women.  

The aim of the Maternity Care Data Project is that by April 2003 all
relevant NHS organisations will record maternity data in a standard and
consistent way. The project will not  mandate which items should be
collected and will not limit items that can be collected. However, the
project will define and give values to items, so that when those items
are recorded, the recording will be consistent.  

The project to date has produced a Maternity Care Process Model, which
identifies what care is given and when. The model has been produced with
the active participation of clinicians, midwives, obstetricians,
neonatologists and anaesthetists. A Maternity Care Data Dictionary has
also been produced. This was recently reviewed by clinicians. It is now
available on the project's web site, www.nhsia.nhs.uk/mcd as part of a
process of wider consultation involving the royal colleges, maternity
related clinicians and information professionals. 

Piloting of the collection of data will commence towards the end of the
year at three trusts. Further details on progress of the project can be
requested from Martin Old, Maternity Care Data Project Manager,
Highcroft, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DH. 

The Maternity Care Data Project and the care of women and their babies
can benefit greatly by your input to the project. Please visit our web
site and give us your feedback on the dictionary 
                        Carol Paeglis, Clinical Communications Manager
                        Maternity Care Data Project
                        Tel: 01962 844588
                        Website: www.nhsia.nhs.uk/mcd           


______________________________________________________________________

Alison Macfarlane
Reader in perinatal and public health statistics                
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit                    
Institute of Health Sciences                            
Old Road                                Direct: 01865 226706    
Oxford OX3 7LF                          Unit:   01865 227000
England                                 Fax:    01865 227002
                        
Email:  [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________


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