The A-EQUIP Model and the Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Park, Taunton HoMs Helen Williams and Debra Young

A-Equip Advocating for Education and Quality Improvement Continuous process which builds personal and professional resilience Enhances care for mothers and babies Prepares for appraisal and revalidation Employer led model Action to improve quality and experience of care becomes integrated throughout all areas

Why Us? Supported and encouraged by LSAMO Strong commitment to statutory supervision and vested interest in ensuring successful transition to future model Keen to build strong links across Somerset Pilot site offered further opportunity to build on partnership working and bring our teams together Strong and effective teams of SoMs

The New Model The A-Equip model has 3 distinct elements which interrelate with each other. Each can be accessed separately but it is anticipated that the PMA will move seamlessly between these elements

Restorative Clinical Supervision Focusing on the restorative/supportive function of supervision Aiming to create space for thinking, feeling, reflecting and understanding Processing the difficult emotions professionals are exposed to through a supportive, confidential relationship rooted in the concepts of containment and reciprocity so that the worker feels restored

Restorative Clinical Supervision has been shown to: Significantly reduce stress whilst maintaining compassion Have a positive impact on the immediate wellbeing of staff Significantly reduce burnout Staff feeling valued by their employers Improve working relationships and team dynamics Improve job satisfaction Increase enjoyment related to work Help staff manage their work/life balance more effectively Improve staff retention

Personal Action for Quality Improvement Recognising the complexity of healthcare systems and reliability of healthcare provision Aiming to equip professionals to be familiar with and contribute to quality improvement methodology Helping midwives become active participants in Trusts’ quality improvement plans Ensuring quality improvement becomes an intrinsic part of everyone’s job

Education and Development Focusing on the development of knowledge and skills through education Informing appraisal, revalidation and the development of leadership qualities Encouraging self reflection Exploring self leadership Examining individual interactions Influencing change Challenging own practice Challenging the practice of others Improving care So the education and development aspect has a focus on the development of knowledge and skills through education, which informs appraisal, revalidation and leadership. It’s aim is to encourage self reflection, to influence change, to be able to challenge practice either your own or that of others, and to improve care

What’s Happened So Far ? Pilot ran from Nov ‘16 to March’17 Bridging Programme for existing SoMs by NHS England from Nov’16 to March ‘17 10 SoMs (YDH x 3 MPH x 7) Unable to start rolling out to midwives until bridging programme complete Signed off 8th Feb ‘17 - Evaluation 22nd Feb’17 Each SoM had cohort of 6 midwives Newly qualified x 2 teams Homebirth Team Postnatal midwives ‘Hand picked’ Volunteers Aim for each midwife to have a One-to-One and opportunity to have a group session 10 SoM’s – 3 from Yeovil and 7 from Musgrove have attended 3 study days which form the Bridging programme.

The Reality Letting go of Supervision 10 Soms trying to coordinate off duty Strong commitment to make it work Bid submitted by our HoMs not us Meetings, bridging programme, WhatsApp, Social Media, Women’s voices, Midwives’ voices, Christmas, Negotiating equality across sites, Clinical and Educational commitments

The Reality Evaluating a model after less that a month!! Timetabling midwives to participate Lack of communication despite promises Feeling isolated Denied participation in the presentation of the evaluation

The Future Commitment to the model Every Friday is a PMA Day Individual appointments in the morning, groups in the afternoon Midwives will attend either a one-to-one or the group Other half of day to be used for e-learning Mixed YDH/MPH groups/venues/PMAs

Evaluation Developing a new culture Midwives’ opinions Themes Governance Appraisal Value for money