England launches eLearning module to support clinicians working within maternity services

NHS Resolution, an arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care, has launched an eLearning module aimed at supporting clinicians working within maternity services.

The module, developed in collaboration with clinicians and academics from Staffordshire University and London South Bank University, focuses on learning from the significant avoidable harm that can occur during the antenatal and postnatal care of mothers and their babies and is seen in the cases notified to its Early Notification Scheme.

Hosted on the platform Learning Hub, the new learning resource uses three illustrative case stories to “immerse” learners into the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care provided to mothers and the neonatal care provided to their babies.

By navigating the module’s content, NHS Resolution says learners will deepen their understanding of the authority’s role within the healthcare system, develop their understanding of the law of negligence as applied to clinical claims and explore how clinical decisions and actions can lead to avoidable harm.

“Our unique collaboration with our academic partner has enabled us to develop this very innovative learning resource to support our aim in sharing direct learning from our Early Notification cases to support prevention of harm in maternity care which so significantly impacts on parents and families’ experience,” said Dr Denise Chaffer, director of safety and learning at NHS Resolution.

“We have jointly developed a valuable tool to support maternity staff and their colleagues in enhancing their understanding and drive improvements in safety in maternity services.

“This module offers a unique opportunity to gain direct insights from NHS Resolution, focusing on learning from harm and sharing a platform for direct learning from Early Notification cases,” she continued.

“It introduces an innovative approach that takes clinicians on a comprehensive journey through a maternity case, from the incident itself to the legal process, fostering personal reflection and facilitating flexible and complimentary learning alongside face-to-face education and training.”

Naomi Assame, head of safety and learning at NHS Resolution, said: “Maternity is a key priority for NHS Resolution, and this module is a great learning tool to support learners to explore how clinical decisions impact on the quality and safety of maternity care provided, and how the law of negligence applies to clinical claims and decisions.”

Dr Alex Crowe, deputy director of safety and learning at NHS Resolution, added: “The eLearning module is testament to multiple organisations collaborating together and synergising their skills to provide such an innovative learning product for such an important clinical service.”

Dr Sarahjane Jones, Professor of Healthcare Safety and Performance at Staffordshire University, said Staffordshire University is committed to working collaboratively with organisations such as NHS Resolution to improve maternity outcomes and support the National Maternity Safety Ambition.

She added: “We are a catalyst for change, accelerating the transformation of the health workforce using immersive technology and advanced teaching.

“Our maternity, pedagogical and simulation expertise has supported the development of this immersive eLearning module which will support those involved in the delivery of maternity services to learn from harm.”

Professor Alison Leary, chair of healthcare and workforce modelling at London South Bank University, said: “We were delighted to support this innovative safety initiative with NHS Resolution to implement evidence informed learning.

“Collaboration for safety is increasingly important and many safety issues are complex and reflective learning is one way of supporting safe practices.”