Maternal Enhanced & Critical Care (MEaCC)

 

Introduction

The issue of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity has been identified as a national and local priority. In November 2015, the Department of Health announced an ambition to reduce maternal deaths in England by 50% by 2030. Within Yorkshire and the Humber there are varying models of care, training and experience.

The MEaCC project aims to reduce variation and improve the outcomes and experience of the critically ill mother.

 

Progress to date

In 2016 the Clinical Network carried out MEaCC engagement visits with all maternity providers in Yorkshire and the Humber. The purpose of the visits was to discuss the MEaCC services provided and to identify any challenges and priorities the trusts may have had. The information gathered during these visits informed the content of a MEaCC Workshop, held later that year.

The workshop considered national evidence and best practice, the work of the Adult Critical Care Operational Delivery Network (ODN), and the Yorkshire and the Humber position (taken from the overview of findings from the MEaCC engagement visits). The workshop focused on identifying areas of best practice, priorities, barriers and solutions. Outputs from the workshop were presented to the initial MEaCC Task & Finish Group to inform the project plan and agree actions for the group.

The MEaCC engagement visits and workshop highlighted that improvements could be made to the care of mothers who are ill/acutely Ill during pregnancy or have recently given birth. Four key work areas were identified for action and improvement: 

  • Training and Competencies
  • Staffing Levels
  • Patient Experience
  • Other e.g. No designated HDU room / area

The MEaCC Task and Finish Group was established in July 2016, to address these areas. The group produced Y&H MEaCC Recommendations, Competencies and Training Documents. In March 2018 it was agreed that the a MEaCC Steering Group would be formed to oversee the project.  

 

Next Steps

 

Meetings

This group holds quarterly meetings, for details please contact Elizabeth Audsley (elizabethaudsley@nhs.net)

 

Useful links