A midwife sonographer is working tirelessly to make lasting changes to maternity services at North Tees.
Nicola Threadgold seized the opportunity to take part in quality improvement (QI) to make a difference to patients.
Nicola said: “I wanted to get involved with QI as I believe that every woman accessing maternity services wants a positive experience and every member of staff wants to provide the safest, highest quality care.
“I was so excited to work with a team and influence change as a midwife, getting to see the impact my projects are making on patients.
“The Trust is dedicated to continually improving the care that we offer patients so I knew that I would be guided and supported throughout the process.
“My experience of QI has been positive. Being able to be a part of projects that influence and deliver sustainable changes has enhanced my job satisfaction.”
Nicola has taken on a number of midwife QI projects from ultrasound training to improving the care of premature babies.
The team also introduced uterine artery dopplers (UAD) as part of the Saving Babies Lives Care bundle.
UAD’s are an additional screening tool, identifying women at high risk in pregnancy, offering extra ultrasounds and increased surveillance.
The Trust have pledged their dedication to quality improvement, delivering a suite of bespoke training and development to staff.
This includes the NHS standardised Quality, Service Improvement and Redesign (QSIR) courses.
Over 90 members of staff enrolled on the service improvement training, with plans to deliver it in-house from spring 2023.
Read more on the Trust’s QI pledgeNo one is expected to drive these changes alone, it is a team approach. I am lucky to work in a Trust that gives me lots of support and, most importantly, allows me to make a difference.
QI has increased my knowledge, improved my confidence and shown me that I can make a real difference in my role.
Nicola Threadgold, midwife sonographer
