Enter and view: Antenatal clinic, Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen undertook an Enter and View visit to the antenatal clinic at Burnley General Teaching Hospital on 24 January 2023.  They wanted to understand what support was given to pregnant women with their mental health.  They spoke to 23 people.

Patient responses about parking prior to the clinic visit where overwhelmingly negative, with this causing some respondents considerable anxiety. Respondents described walking from parking other than the maternity unit whilst physically compromised, being heavily pregnant or in one case a recent Caesarean. Likewise, there were mixed responses in respect of clinic waiting times with representatives deliberating whether road closures and parking difficulties may impact on the appointments schedule.

 However, patient responses in respect of staff and services were very positive. Staff were described as “friendly” and “understanding”.. An app based central notes system Badger Notes was introduced in November 2021,with the majority of respondents telling us how much they appreciated its convenience.

Environmentally the LWNBC unit was an exceptional facility being spacious, clean and easily navigable. However representatives felt there should be extra provision for baby changing.

In terms of patient mental health and wellbeing, patient responses were very positive with all respondents reporting feeling well supported in this area. Most respondents told us they knew where to access mental health and wellbeing support citing the midwifery team, their GP, consultant or Badger Notes.

Staff responses were generally less positive. Staff were happy to talk to us demonstrating an open culture. They told us that they felt well supported by their manager and that she was approachable. However, they also told us that they had difficulties with staffing levels and would have liked more time to deliver person centred care. There were also mixed responses in respect of the effectiveness of training and the use of Badger Notes with concerns about the technology and the need for administrative support.

Despite many respondents telling us that they” loved” their job, staff seemed to reflect a national picture of pressures around the role describing it as “challenging.” Staff were confident in the referral process to mental health services however representatives were very concerned to hear that such referrals may be unsuccessful due to an over capacity mental health team.