Maternity Direct Service launched for pregnant women and new Mums registered to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals

THE launch of the Maternity Direct service has been announced, available for all pregnant women and new mums who have registered their pregnancy at one of the following three Trusts that form the MSE Hospital group:

– Mid Essex Hospitals
– Southend University Hospital
– Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals

Developed by midwives from Basildon Hospital in partnership with women via the Maternity Voices Partnership, the Maternity Direct application was launched at this Trust in August 2019.

The app has many functions which include the opportunity for women to chat online with a registered midwife with the reassurance that this will both take place and be stored within a secure environment, access to up to date evidence based health information and storage of the woman’s individualised personalised care plan in an interactive platform enabling her to build this in partnership with her midwife.

Completing an online referral to receive maternity care at one of the three MSE hospitals of the woman’s choice, initiates a unique referral ID for every woman which provides them with immediate access to the app and its functions.

Feedback from women using this service currently is overwhelmingly positive which has prompted the extension of the service to women registered with maternity services at Southend and Mid Essex Hospitals.

The rollout of Maternity Direct highlights how the recent merger of the three acute trusts to form Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is improving the sharing of innovation and expertise for the benefit of women and their families.