- Do each of your maternity units which offer consultant-led births have two obstetric theatres available 24/7 with a full complement of staff available should the second theatre be needed? How long does it take to mobilise the second theatre and staff if it needed?
We have one consultant led unit within the Lancashire Womens and Newborn Centre, two obstetric theatres are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The maternity unit is staffed with midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists and theatre staff to enable these two theatres to be covered 24 hours a day. Mobilising the second theatre team takes a matter of minutes.
- If you don’t have a second obstetric theatre, what arrangements are in place should you have two obstetric emergencies requiring theatres at the same time? What hours are covered by these arrangements?
This is not applicable as we have two obstetric theatres available.
- If you don’t have a second obstetric theatre, have you any plans to establish one? Has funding been obtained and how much?
This is not applicable as we have two obstetric theatres available.
- How long approximately does it take to transfer a woman from the labour ward to 1. Your normal obstetric theatre? 2. Whichever additional theatre would be used in the event of two emergencies at the same time?
Both of our obstetric theatres are located within the labour ward environment and are accessed via a set of automatic double doors at the end of the corridor - transfers take anywhere on average between 1 and 3 minutes from the birthing room to the theatre.
- Have you had any serious incidents/Datix (or other reporting system) reports in the last three years involving lack of timely access to fully staffed theatres in maternity emergencies?
None
- Please attach any policies you have on maternity emergencies/escalation.
Please see attached guidance / SOPs in relation to escalation.
