Summary:
«Midwives at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust are supporting non-English speaking expecting parents by using a web-based communications app in their specialised antenatal classes.«
«The trust has become the first in the south of England to offer Alternative Language Antenatal Classes (ALAC), for parents-to-be for whom English is not their first language. It joins just a handful of trusts who offer ALAC support.»
«The classes have now adopted the use of our 2022 Rewired Pitchfest winner, CardMedic – an app which offers digital flashcards to guide patients through common clinical interactions. Use of the app is helping to reduce health inequalities and minimise the pressure for interpreters to be available immediately.»
«Maggie Myatt, race equity lead and senior midwife at University Hospitals Sussex, said: “From a midwifery perspective, it’s an incredibly innovative and useful communication tool. Crucially, it builds bridges of communication and enables human contact, which is essential in a service as intimate as obstetrics and maternity.”»
«The app can be used during scans and routine appointments, as well as in hospital during labour and birth. It can also be used if the patient requires emergency antenatal monitoring and care. CardMedic enables care team to discuss clinical options immediately and directly, without needing someone to translate such as a professional interpreter or family member.»
Article written by Cora Lydon
14|06|2022
Source:
Digital Health
https://www.digitalhealth.net/2022/06/sussex-midwives-pioneer-app-to-overcome-language-barriers/