Pregnant people will be able to access their maternity records and update their birthing preferences at the touch of a button when a new electronic system is introduced next month.
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is set to launch BadgetNet on 6th February 2024 for pregnant women and birthing people accessing maternity services at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.
The new system is a full electronic patient record where every clinical interaction with health professionals will be recorded throughout the full course of their maternity journey. It will launch with an online portal and app called ‘Badger Notes’ alongside, through which anyone who’s pregnant will be able to view their record and add or adjust their preferences, such as where they want to give birth and details of their birthing partner.
Badger Notes replaces the traditional hand-held paper file that people are given, and provides real-time access to their maternity care record over the internet through their PC, tablet or mobile phone. The app is updated with information drawn from hospital maternity records.
This allows more convenient and timely access to key information and also ensures the pregnant person’s choices on what they want to happen at each stage of the pregnancy journey are clearly captured, so all those caring for them can see it.
Liz Davis, Digital Midwife said: “In the past the hospital and the person who was expecting a baby each had separate paper records. If the pregnant person forgot their paper record, we would not be able to see or know what has been done in the community, likewise community may not see the hand-held notes the consultant has written. Now, with this new service, pregnant people and hospital staff both have a full record of their care, wherever they are, at whatever stage of their pregnancy journey.
“There’s a real shift now towards electronic record keeping and digital access. People already access many elements of their healthcare online; GP appointments, prescriptions, hospital letters and so on, so why not maternity care too?
“This is going to make a huge difference in the way we as professionals care for pregnant people, both during their pregnancy and in the post-natal phase. It will save a lot of time as midwives do not have to double enter data onto paper, and in this respect it will help to reduce our paper use and our environmental impact too.”
Rukeya Miah, Head of Midwifery said: “We are thrilled to bring Badger Notes to people using maternity services. This innovative system will deliver a more joined up approach across maternity care, and reflects our commitment to providing expectant families with the highest standards of support and empowerment.
“The system will contribute massively to improved patient information and experience, and ultimately contribute to positive maternal outcomes by increasing choice, personalisation and empowering patients participate in their maternity journey.”
Because the system is personalised, patients can also add details about themselves, such as occupation and any allergies and add their own plans and preferences for care, before and after birth.
The system is completely secure and only those with the correct login details are able to access notes.
Midwives will provide people with details of how to create an account and access Badger Notes at ante-natal appointments, though the app can be downloaded anytime from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.