The Faculty Of Health And Social Care

University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Figure 1

Placement Information Manual BSc (Hons) Midwifery 3 year and 78 week Programmes

Faculty of Health and Social Care

September 2006 Edition

1 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction and Background to Development of the Midwifery Programmes 3

Section 1 - General Information 6

Section 2 - The Practice Learning Unit (PLU) 10

Practice Learning Unit Contact Details 15

Practice Support Line Advisors 16

Zones 17

Section 3 - Key Personnel 18

Section 4 - Student Responsibilities 21

Dress Code 24

Sickness and Absence Policy 3 year and 78 week Programmes 25

Administration of Drugs Policy 3 year Programme 27

Administration of Drugs Policy 78 week Programme 28

Guidelines for Completion of Practice Placement Documentation 3 year Programme 29

Guidelines for Completion of Practice Placement Documentation 78 week Programme 32

Guidelines for Completion of Clinical Experience Record 35

Appendix 1 - Sample Placement Allocation List 37

Appendix 2 - Sample Student Allocation Memo 38

Appendix 3 - Sample Clinical Attendance Card 39

Appendix 4 - Student Working Hours 40

Appendix 5 - Protocol for Handling Alleged Misconduct by a student in a Practice Setting 41

2 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDWIFERY PROGAMMES

Midwifery is a practice based profession. The essential values and beliefs on which the programme is founded are inextricably linked to the philosophy of midwifery care. This is recognised as the provision of a safe environment in which the woman’s individual physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs can be explained and expressed and wherever possible met. The midwife should be committed to take a leading role in providing this care in a sensitive and comprehensive service, which should be easily accessible and acceptable to the population.

The appropriate care and preparation prior to, throughout and following childbirth has positive effects on the health and well-being of women and their families. To this end the education and preparation of competent midwife practitioners is seen as essential to the provision of this philosophy of high quality care.

The office of midwife has been recognised in all societies and her/his role has evolved though centuries to the independent accountable practitioner of today

The overarching philosophy of the programme is to enable those entering and progressing though the programme as expressed in the definition above to develop from a lay-person or novice into a professional who can competently comply with the activities of a midwife as required by the European Directives (80/155/EEC Article 4)

Member States shall ensure that midwives are at least entitled to take up and pursue the following activities:-

 to provide sound family planning information and advice  to diagnose pregnancies and monitor normal pregnancies; to carry out examinations necessary for the monitoring of the development of normal pregnancies  to prescribe or advise on the examinations necessary for the earliest possible diagnosis of pregnancies at risk  to provide a programme of parenthood preparation and a complete preparation for childbirth including advice on hygiene and nutrition  to care for and assist the mother during labour and to monitor the condition of the foetus in utero by the appropriate clinical and technical means  to conduct spontaneous deliveries including where required, an episiotomy and in urgent cases a breech delivery  to recognise the warning signs of abnormality in the mother or infant which necessitate referral to a doctor and to assist the latter where appropriate; to take the necessary emergency measures in the doctor’s absence, in particular the manual removal of the placenta, possibly followed by a manual examination of the uterus  to examine and care for the new-born infant; to take all initiatives which are necessary in case of need and to carry out where necessary immediate resuscitation  to care for and monitor the progress of the mother in the post-natal period and to give all necessary advice to the mother on infant care to enable her to ensure the optimum progress of the new-born infant  to carry out the treatment prescribed by a doctor  to maintain all necessary records.

The concept of development from novice to expert is based on the work of Benner (1984). In particular, it is focused on the acquisition and use of clinical knowledge related to 3 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

experience in the clinical area supported by the theoretical content of the modules in the programme provided by personal study and timetabled sessions. The term lay person/novice on entry to the programme is used as the majority of course members have a diverse range of prior life skills and experiences with very few coming from a healthcare background. They do, however, all share a strong enthusiasm for learning about midwifery and participating in practice. It is a statutory requirement for the midwife to be competent at the point of qualification in order to undertake the expected role. The philosophy of the programme is to therefore ensure that not only is competency achieved but that following qualification the midwife is enabled to progress through to become an expert practitioner and appropriate role model. The appreciation by the student of the need for lifelong learning is also a priority to enable the midwife to adapt to the demands changing care provision exerts.

Changes in the profession itself along with the level of responsibility and autonomy required by the midwife warrant the development and provision of a pre-qualifying degree programme (SNMAC1998). The role of midwife covers a number of facets: clinician, educator, manager and researcher. In order to fulfil the multifaceted role a midwife, like other comparable professionals, should bring to bear the broad range of key skills and attitudes normally developed in a graduate. In addition, specialised knowledge of a range of biological science, social science and management disciplines is necessary for those working in a field where scientific, technological, managerial interpersonal skills are required in day to day practice.

4 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

1.1 Rationale underpinning programme development

Major Department of Health documents such as ‘Making a Difference’ (DOH 1999a), ‘Fitness for Practice’ (UKCC 1999) and ‘NHS Plan’ (DOH 2000) have stressed the need to ensure the development of competent practitioners capable of undertaking modernised roles within Nursing and Midwifery. Policies specified in these publications have substantially influenced the proposed programmes’ design, practice placement arrangements and assessment strategies. Adoption of the Midwifery Action plan (2001) ideals have ensured incorporation of current service improvement developments encompassing the public health role for midwives, addressing social exclusion and family violence and through leadership, reduction of inequalities in the provision of care. Academic and Practitioner Standards (QAA 2001) and the National Qualifications Framework (QAA2001) have guided the programmes’ development ensuring academic, professional and practitioner standards are included and will be assessed.

Midwifery continues to face challenges and change, which include meeting Government targets for health and women centred care. Programmes need to demonstrate that they produce practitioners who, on registration, are able to provide and assume responsibility for, quality maternity care. The programme must equip the newly registered midwife to be able to assume and demonstrate that level of responsibility and accountability as required by Midwives Rules (UKCC 1998).

The focus of the midwifery programme route is to produce a competent practitioner, by providing distinctive skills and learning opportunities. The modular format for each year is structured to provide a sound foundation for the next and to develop the learning outcomes of the programme in both academic and clinical work. The programme route has been designed to maintain the strengths of the current programme and to respond to recent Department of Health and Professional Body reports (Our Healthier Nation 1999; Making a Difference 1999; Fitness for Practice 1999; NHS Modernisation Agenda 2000). The programmes routes have been developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders including health service providers, users, current students and the Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire Purchasing Confederation.

Within the programme route interprofessional and shared learning modules with other health and social care groups has been facilitated. This is clearly identifiable throughout the levels of the programme and demonstrates the strengthening of meaningful interprofessional learning within the health care faculty.

The overarching aim of the programme is to provide learning experiences which will allow student to develop and achieve competencies, skills and knowledge to register on Part 10 of the NMC Professional Register. In addition, these programmes provide competent, confident midwife practitioners, equipped for life long learning. The programmes build upon the strengths of the existing pre-registration programmes and the outcome QAA Subject Review (2000).

The shortened programme acknowledges that the Content of Section (a) ENB (1994) document will have already been achieved. The shortened programme, therefore, concentrates on the Content of Section (b) ENB (1994). The purpose of the 78 week programme is equitable with the longer three year programme.

5 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Section 1 – General Information

The Faculty of Health and Social Care

Faculty Mission

 Pursue and deliver excellence in education and research.  Work in an integrated way with a range of partners to develop a dynamic, highly skilled health and social care workforce equipped for the future.  Develop creative, dynamic, highly competent client focused practitioners who are able to deliver high quality in practice.  Commitment to supporting staff and students to reach their full potential within facilitative high quality learning and research environments.

Faculty History

The Faculty was created in 1996 when the former Avon and Gloucester College of Health and Bath and Swindon College of Health Studies joined the existing Faculty of Health and Community Studies at UWE. This major development saw the creation of one of the largest and most significant educational communities specialising in health and social care education and research in the UK.

Faculty Educational Provision

The Faculty aims to serve the needs of the health and social care professions by providing undergraduate, postgraduate and post qualifying programmes in:

 Nursing  Midwifery  Occupational Health  Physiotherapy  Radiography  Social Work  Community and Youth Work  Health Studies

Collaboration with health and social service providers, purchasers and professional bodies is fundamental to the delivery and development of the Faculty’s educational provision.

Undergraduate and Pre-Registration Programmes

The Faculty’s pre-qualifying programmes give students a solid base upon which to build careers in the caring professions. Students are taught within a modular framework, allowing them to learn together with those aspiring to different careers in health and social care. This introduction to a multidisciplinary approach stands students in good stead in their future professions.

All undergraduate programmes are carefully structured to provide an integrated balance of theory and practice. Placements are arranged in variety of health and social care settings, enabling students to gain insight and confidence in the practical aspects of their chosen profession.

6 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Postgraduate

The Faculty’s postgraduate framework provides opportunities to study professional practice, policy and organisational issues at an advanced level. Taught programmes are available in diverse subjects including health promotion, community care, gender and health, health and social care research, sports medicine and rehabilitation, trauma radiography and nuclear medicine technology. The Faculty’s postgraduate provision continues to undergo review and expansion to meet service requirements, with the aim of addressing both specialist professional development needs and practice related research interests.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The ethos of life-long learning is seen as critical in the health and social care field, and the personal and professional development needs of practitioners are met through a comprehensive range of post-qualifying programmes. The application of theory to practice is central to these programmes, which aim to have a positive impact on the working environment.

Programmes are all designed on a modular basis, and range from the BSc(Hons) Community Health Care Nursing (for registered nurses wishing to pursue specialist community nurse qualifications), to the Diploma and BSc(Hons) Professional Studies in Nursing, Midwifery, Radiography and Cancer Care.

Research

The University is one of the leading new universities for research with good research ratings and rapid growth in research income. The Faculty also sees research as central to its vision. Since the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), it has invested in health and social care research which has included the appointment of a number of new staff.

The research progress of the Faculty is equally demonstrated by the wide range of staff actively engaged in research and scholarship activity, the continued progress of those entered into the last RAE (three were promoted to Reader in the last promotional round of the University), the major growth of postgraduate taught and research activity, and the growing links with a wide range of external partners such as NHS Trust’s, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other universities.

International Links

Links with overseas agencies and institutions have been developed across the globe, from Central Asia to South America. International project work within the Faculty ranges from contributing to the WHO CARAK project (aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in Asia), to helping Pro-Natal project (developing effective health care services in Brazil). Both staff and students benefit from the Faculty’s academic international links, and exchanges and visits involving colleagues from Universities and health and social services overseas are frequently arranged.

The Faculty’s curriculum content is constantly reviewed to monitor its international dimensions, and recruitment of overseas students ensures a multi cultural perspective on teaching and learning.

7 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Study Centres

The Faculty of Health and Social Care is based primarily at the Glenside Campus in Bristol. The Faculty also has regional centres supporting nurse education and clinical opportunities in Bath, Gloucester and Swindon. The full contact addresses and telephone numbers for each Centre are listed below:

Bristol Campus:- Gloucester Campus:-

University of the West of England University of the West of England Faculty of Health and Social Care Faculty of Health and Social Care Glenside Campus Gloucester Education Centre Blackberry Hill Hartpury Campus Stapleton Hartpury House Bristol Gloucester BS16 1DD GL19 3BE

Telephone: 0117 32 88534 Telephone: 01452 702166 Fax: 0117 32 88481 Fax: 01452 702169

Bath Campus:- Swindon Campus:-

University of the West of England University of the West of England Faculty of Health and Social Care Faculty of Health and Social Care Bath Education Centre The Academy Royal United Hospital Commonhead Offices Combe Park Great Western Hospital Bath Marlborough Road BA1 3NG Swindon SN3 6BB Telephone: 01225 824237 Fax: 01225 824235 Telephone: 01793 604737/8 Fax: 01793 605192

8 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Resources

The Faculty is superbly equipped with an extensive range of teaching and learning resources including specialist libraries supported by the latest information technology.

The Interprofessional Simulation Suite provides excellent opportunities for the demonstration and practice of professional competencies for all health and social care students in an interprofessional context. Interprofessional skills such as communication/assessment/interview that are common across all health and social care programmes, as well as multi-media resources, are integral to the Interprofessional Simulation Suite.

The Human Analysis Laboratory (HAL) is dedicated to physiological and biomechanical measurement for the advancement of teaching and research. HAL is an integral part of the teaching and research strategies of the Faculty and has developed into a centre of excellence which focuses on research and education in the field of human performance, for example, in the specialisms of sports medicine, paediatrics, rheumatology, diabetes and pulmonary disease. Activities in HAL are fully supported by clinical and technical specialists within UWE who are guided by professional and ethical standards.

The Imaging Suite contains a variety of equipment and accessories are available providing a controlled learning environment in which to demonstrate and explore the production and use of x- rays and to develop positioning and other patient related skills.

The Faculty also has a well equipped Nursing and Midwifery Skills Simulation Suite in which to practice nursing skills. Students are given the opportunity to undertake routine nursing procedures, designed to build confidence and competency, before actually applying these to real patients in placement settings.

There is a range of accommodation options available for Faculty of Health and Social Care students. For full information about student accommodation contact the University’s Student Accommodation Service:

Telephone: 0117 32 83601 Fax: 0117 32 82285 Email [email protected]

Alternatively visit the UWE Student Accommodation Services web site www.uwe.ac.uk/accommodation/

9 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Section 2 – The Practice Learning Unit (PLU)

Clinical Placement Agreement

Definition

This is an agreement between the Faculty and the Trust which outlines the responsibilities of the University and the Trust in the organisation and provision of practice placements

Contents

The Schedule contains historical details of the practice placement areas used within each Trust and the maximum number of students allocated to each area at any one time. The Director Practice Learning Unit with the Trust Named Contact negotiates amendments to these areas and numbers

Strategic Placement Plan

The rationale behind the development of the Strategic Placement Plan is to develop a system that aims to:

 Rationalise the flow of students through a placement, so that the placement staff know how many students will be allocated, when they will be allocated and for how long.  Achieve consistency and equity across all placements.

Placement Codes

As part of the Zoning exercise, each placement area has been allocated a placement code. The code designates each placement by School, Zone, Trust and individual area. It should be used for all placement purposes, and will be needed for student and assessor evaluation forms, as well as for audit and allocation of students.

Any queries regarding placement codes should be directed to the Audit Officer in the Practice Learning Unit.

What is the Practice Learning Unit?

Practice placements for Midwifery programmes are arranged through an academically led administrative unit, The Practice Learning Unit. It is the responsibility of the staff, working within the Unit to ensure that each student has a practice placement arranged for them, which is appropriate to the level and stage of their course.

Allocation Staff

Throughout the programme, the students are required to undertake a range of different practice placements to enable them to gain a wide range of experience in a variety of settings. The primary aim of the allocation staff is the provision of quality practice placements. The allocation officers allocate students to practice placements at each stage of the Programme Plan within the parameters set out in the Clinical Placement Agreement.

10 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Audit Officer

The Audit Officer is primarily responsible for the smooth daily running of the administrative systems associated with educational audit of practice placement areas.

The Aims and Philosophy of the Practice Learning Unit

The Practice Learning Unit aims:

 To provide a co-ordinated service that accesses a range of placements within the University catchment area, that supports the practice requirements of pre-qualifying Programme Routes in order to produce, at the point of registration, practitioners fit for purpose and practice.

 To meet the needs of the key stakeholders (including professional bodies), students, placement providers and curricula.

 To provide quality assured placements, through a service and education partnership to audit and evaluation.

The Practice Learning Unit believes that:

 Students are entitled to a range of quality placements, approved and accessible, for the achievement of identified competencies required for registration.

 Placement providers are entitled to timely communication on all aspects of placement allocation.

 The University values and supports a dynamic partnership between the Practice Learning Unit and the service, which supports the students in achieving the competencies necessary for registration.

Structure of the Practice Learning Unit

Strategically managed by its Director, Trish Upton, and administratively led by Bob Phillips, the Practice Learning Unit is currently responsible for the organisation of practice placements for all nursing, midwifery and allied health professions students in the Faculty. This involves liaison with placement providers, allocating students to the practice placement areas, tracking, and monitoring each student’s progress.

The Practice Learning Unit is also responsible for the administration and management of the Educational Audit process for placements accessed by Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy and Radiography students. This involves the maintenance of the audit visit timetables, the logging of results via the Quasar quality audit system and the production of reports for dissemination to the appropriate members of academic staff, Heads of Schools and our partners in the National Health Service (NHS) and Primary Care (PCT) Trusts.

The unit also monitors and records the sickness and absence of all students whilst on practice placement.

11 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

The unit is responsible for the production of the Basic Midwifery Training records. It transmits the registration details and forwards the Declaration of Good Health and Good Character Certificates to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for successful students.

Programmes

There are currently two Midwifery programmes running at the Faculty of Health and Social Care:-

BSc (Hons) Midwifery 3 year BSc (Hons) Midwifery 78 week

Allocation Lists

Produced by the Practice Learning Unit they provide details of the students allocated to each practice placement area. They are sent to the Ward Manager or equivalent if not ward based unless a specific contact name has been provided.

The allocation lists are sent to each practice placement area that will have students allocated, this is normally 12 weeks before the student is due to undertake their practice placement. They should be treated confidentially and kept from the view or attention of students in the practice placement area.

The allocation list will contain the following information:  The Programme that the student(s) is enrolled on  The Intake that the student(s) is enrolled on  The start and end dates of the practice placement.  The Name of the Student(s)  The Practice Placement Name  The contact telephone number of the Practice Placement  The Placement Code and Number  Any additional information relating to dates for Study Days Students are informed of their allocated practice placements 8 weeks before commencement using the allocation list. Students should not be able to view allocation lists in practice placement areas. A sample allocation list is shown at Appendix 1.

Notification of Amendments to a Student Allocation

It may be necessary for the Placement Unit to amend the allocation of students to a practice placement area after the 12-week notification has been forwarded. When circumstances arise that necessitates a change to a student allocation the practice placement area will be sent a completed Amendment to Student Allocation Memo. An example of the Amendment to Student Allocation Memo is at Appendix 2 – Example of a Memo about Change of Allocation.

Novice Placement

Students cannot arrange their own practice placements. Placements require careful co-ordination; there may be two or more cohorts or branches of students accessing the same placement area over the same period.

The only exception to this would be Novice Practice placement. However, before arrangements can be into place, the students need to discuss their requirements with the Cohort Leader and Practice Learning Unit. This is an opportunity for them to experience midwifery practice in another setting/area, provided they have achieved all the theoretical and clinical requirements of the programme.

12 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Responsibilities within the Practice Learning Unit

The Director Practice Learning Unit is responsible for:-

 working with the Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire Workforce Development Confederation to meet the requirements of the Clinical Placement Agreement  the Practice Education Facilitators involved in the training and education of mentors and the quality of practice placements.  providing an academic lead for the administration responsibilities within the Faculty for placements.  providing central support to the administration in respect of academic decision making  providing the Executive with management information in respect of placements audit.  working closely with Programme Leaders and Heads of School in establishing appropriate audit, review and monitor protocols for practice placements across all programme routes.  establishing appropriate processes and protocols for managing and tracking the allocation of practice placements utilised by all programmes across the Faculty.

The Administration Officer is responsible for:-

 Management and development of the Practice Learning Unit and staff in consultation with the Director Practice Learning Unit  Long term and six monthly forecast of student placement requirement for NHS Trust and PCT's and other placement areas  Development, testing and implementation of Information Systems  Maintain and develop the Mentor Database  Assist with the updating and distribution of the Placement Information Manual for Pre-registration Nursing  Produce the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Student Placement Manual  Managing the Student Placement Accommodation Budget

The Allocations Officer is responsible for:-

 Organisation of all Gloucestershire and Bristol and North Somerset Zone practice placements for the Adult Branch and for all Child Branch practice placements.  Responsibility for all Midwifery placements  Radiotherapy placements  Diagnostic Imaging placements  Recording and Monitoring of Student Absence and Sickness records

13 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

The Audit Officer is responsible for:-

 Monitoring, maintenance and development of audit process and data  Collating, maintaining and recording on Placement Database, information relating to placement areas, e.g. profiles and assessor/mentors  Implementation, maintenance and development of Quasar quality audit software  Maintaining and recording on Mentor Database

The Practice Support Line Advisors are responsible for:-

 The Practice Support Line Tel: 0117 32 88927 Email: [email protected]

14 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Practice Learning Unit – Contact Details

Responsibility Name Telephone Number e-mail address

Director Trish Upton 0117 32 88571 [email protected]

Allocation Officer 0117 32 81153 Adult Branch Gloucester, Bristol and North Somerset all Child Branch and all Midwifery, Radiotherapy and Diagnostic Imaging

Audit Officer 0117 32 81152

Administration Officer Bob Phillips 0117 32 81149 [email protected]

Practice Support Line 0117 32 88927 Adviser [email protected] Provide assistance and advice to students and mentors in the Practice Environment

15 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

The Practice Support Line Advisors

The Practice Support Line – How can it help YOU?

What Is The P S Line? Established in April 2004 by the Practice Learning Unit, its aim is to offer guidance and practical support to all Nursing and Midwifery students and Mentors in practice.

It has been designed as the first point of contact for all practice based queries or concerns for both students and mentors. The PSL provides a responsive service to those queries which have not been resolved through the usual practice placement mechanisms.

Students and staff will be able to receive immediate responses to many issues and a response within 24 hours for less conventional problems. Information is treated with the strictest confidence, on a non-judgemental basis.

Getting in Contact The PSL is available from Monday to Thursday 09:00 – 16:30hrs and Friday 09:00-16:00hrs.

Please call on 0117 32 88927 or e-mail on [email protected].

Which Issues Are Covered? The PSL covers many practice issues including:-

 Work or Assessment related worries  Difficulties with work relationships  Personal/Health Issues  Extenuating Circumstances  Learning Outcome Concerns

Please note: Any absences due to sickness or authorised leave should be reported directly to the Practice Learning Unit’s Allocation Officer and the Placement concerned.

How Does It Work? The issue will be reviewed by the Practice Support Line Advisor (PSLA, for appropriate referral where necessary), who will then be able to help resolve the query or concern.

Who Can Use The Service? The service is currently available to:-  All Pre-registration Nursing and Midwifery students – Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities  Mentors

Confidentiality All information given to the adviser is confidential and will not be disclosed to others without the individual’s express permission, except where it is believed there is a risk of harm to the individual or others. Any data or records held are confidential, secure and accessed only by the PSLA. Data may be used for statistical reasons, but these reports do not identify or disclose information that will identify an individual.

16 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care

Zones

A zone is a geographical grouping of placements based on the counties and unitary authorities of the West of England. Midwifery has its own identified zones, providing the student with a full and comprehensive range of practice experience within the NHS Trusts and PCTs.

Placing students in a zone for the practice component of their course (50% of the total) enables them to identify with a practice base, which will offer increasing stability as they proceed through training. Zoning aims to reduce the amount of travel students may have to undertake as all or most of their practice placements will be in one geographical area.

Zone Placement Provider Includes

A Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust includes Gloucester Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital

B North Bristol North Bristol NHS Trust includes Southmead and Frenchay Hospitals

C Bristol and North Somerset United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT) and Weston Area Health Trust includes Bristol Royal Infirmary and Weston General Hospital

D Bath and North East Somerset Royal United Healthcare NHS Trust includes Royal United Hospital Bath

E Swindon Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust includes Great Western Hospital

17 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

Section 3 Key Personnel

Programme Leaders

The Programme Leaders play a prominent role for the students. Their major responsibility is to ensure that students experience a coherent, integrated programme and that appropriate academic and personal support is provided

Programme Leaders are:

Name Responsibility Christina Tucker NMC Lead Midwife for Midwifery Programmes Julie Hobbs Midwifery Programmes Leader – 3 Year Route Dorothy Cook Midwifery Programmes Leader – 78 Week Route

Practice Education Facilitators

Practice Education Facilitators (PEF) enhance the support available to placement locations in practice areas and to the mentors of pre-registration nursing and midwifery students on placement from the University of the West of England. The Facilitators will be based within their base Service Organisation/s with managerial accountability to the Avon Gloucester and Wiltshire Workforce Development Confederation and professional accountability to their Service Organisation/s. They will link with the University and other facilitators on a regular basis.

Key Responsibilities  To develop the capacity of practice locations within their Service Organisation/s. The post holder will be required to facilitate additional student placements within these locations, supporting staff in the implementation of the pre-registration curricula.  To use creative and innovative methods and systems to support practice areas in the development of effective placement experiences for students.  To identify potential new placement areas and to work with educational staff to establish and maintain these areas as effective and appropriate learning environments.  To develop mentors of pre-registration students, ensuring that they are updated according to the requirements of the 4-year mentor update cycle.  To act as an educational resource, in conjunction with University Lecturers and the Director of the Practice Learning Unit.  To forge strong links with staff, particularly mentors / supervisors, in placement locations ensuring that they are aware of the University’s relevant policies and procedures.  In conjunction with the Practice Learning Unit, to develop learning resources which support the learning environment, for use by students and staff in practice areas.  Influence and inform the development of effective learning opportunities within their Service Organisation/s acting as a visible resource.  To utilise opportunities within the service management structure for linking with groups of mentors.  Responsible for providing data and information on placements to the Director of the Practice Learning Unit, the Director of Quality and the education lead for their Service Organisation/s.

18 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

The Mentor

The Mentor is an appropriately qualified and experienced registered practitioner who has undertaken a University approved assessor course, annually updated to develop skills in facilitating student learning, supervising practice and assessing the students’ level of attainment related to the stated learning outcomes of the programme.

Whilst on placement the mentor will oversee the student’s practice experience. They also complete and sign student assessment forms and Clinical Attendance Card (see Appendix 3) at the end of the student placement.

Mentors who have any query with assessment report or similar should contact the Faculty using the Practice Support Line on 0117 32 88927.

The Supervisor of Midwives

Statutory supervision of midwives is a valuable resource available to student midwives. The framework provides leadership, guidance, monitoring and support for trained members of staff.

Supervisory standards require students to be given a named supervisor and the trusts have agreed to provide this. Students are advised to get to know their supervisors in practice and the role. This will help them to choose a supervisor when they qualify as a midwife.

The PALM – Practice Associate Lecturer in Midwifery

PALM’s are appointed by the LME in the HEI to develop, support and monitor collaborative provision of programmes by the HEI, in partnership with the service providers in Midwifery.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks The PALM role should facilitate good working relationships between UWE and its partners to ensure effective management and administration of the programme(s).

She/he is the first line of communication on academic related matters between the two partners and together with the programme leader(s) and LME, will manage the relationship to ensure reciprocal standards of quality and student experience are achieved.

The PALM will visit the partner organisation regularly (as scheduled through the meetings) and more frequently as required.

It is unrealistic for the PALM’s to work clinically with students in practice, neither is it the PALM’s role to usurp the mentor’s role, unless however, the mentor requests help in the following:-

a help to clarify the assessment of competencies and or assessment documentation b help to develop with the mentor or PEF an action plan for a failing student.

19 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______As part of UWE’s support for qualified staff who act as mentors, the PALM should whenever possible, provide advice, support and guidance on their continuing professional development. This could involve:-

a Being a source of information to support midwives, CPD and professional development. b Engaging in Academics in Practice projects relating directly from service needs.

NHS Liaison and Placement Support Librarian

For help with library resources or advice please contact:-

Philip O’Shaughnessy:-

Tel: 0117 32 88418 Email: Philip.O’[email protected]

Philip can also meet individuals or groups at the Academy at Bath.

20 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______Section 4 - Students

Student Responsibilities for Practice Learning

Before Practice Learning Starts

. When you have obtained details of your practice learning setting, contact the placement manager / equivalent. This should be at least two weeks before the starting date

.When you make the initial contact introduce yourself, confirm starting date and time and clarify any issues of concern relating to your practice learning

.Ensure you understand the specific expectations of your allocated practice placement/practice learning setting by accessing and reading appropriate documents.

.Clarify the dress code of your practice placement/practice learning setting and where applicable conform to the UWE uniform policy.

During Practice Learning

.Act at all times in accordance with the relevant codes of professional practice.

.Act at all times, in accordance with Health and Safety regulations

.Maintain confidentiality with regard to patients/clients/service users and documentation.

.Be punctual, reliable, courteous and honest

.Take reasonable steps to keep self and others safe.

.Develop skills in working effectively as a member of the interprofessional team to support safe patient/client service user care

As a Student

.Identify your learning needs using the approved documents (eg learning contracts, portfolios, learning logs, diaries)

.With the guidance of your Mentor / Assessor, seek out experiences for your level of practice and competence to support you in achieving your learning outcomes.

.Should the practice teaching and/or supervision arrangements become ineffective, contact your mentor/assessor/supervisor/practice teacher to make them aware as soon as possible, and to discuss how the situation can be resolved

.If the issue(s) remain unresolved, refer to and follow the appropriate guidance available in the student faculty or module handbook.

.Ensure that skills required at each stage in the programme are attempted under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. 21 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

.Where appropriate negotiate with Mentor/Assessor, relevant learning opportunities external to the practice placement / practice learning setting.

.Adopt a questioning and reflective approach to your learning to increase self- awareness, confidence and competence. Where appropriate give and receive constructive feedback.

.Prepare yourself for classroom or agreed meetings with UWE academic staff.

.Ensure that practice assessment documentation ( where applicable) is accurately completed and submitted on time

.Seek help from the faculty student advisers, if issues such as finance, accommodation or personal issues are impinging on your practice learning

.Comply with the UWE sickness and absence policy, and the Trust/Organisations reporting arrangements.

.Constructively evaluate the placement itself, using the UWE approved evaluation tool.

Student Attendance

Attendance for Pre-Registration Midwifery Students is compulsory and it is vital that students report any periods of sickness or absence to their allocated practice placement and the Faculty.

When on placement students may be asked to provide their contact telephone numbers because managers are concerned about their safety as lone workers. Students are advised that it is at their own discretion to do so but that they should be guided by the placement’s protocols.

Any student who is absent from clinical practice or study days/block will be required to work the number of days lost, at the end of the course. Please see the programme handbook for information on this.

Annual Leave

Annual Leave is timetabled into the course. Additional leave or a change to the dates of annual leave is not permissible.

Students who consider they have difficulty with this should contact their respective Programme Leader.

22 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

Bank Holiday

Bank Holidays - The statutory bank holidays are incorporated into the student’s annual leave and are therefore not an additional entitlement. If a bank holiday falls in a theory week this day will be an independent study day, however, if a bank holiday falls in a placement week the student will be expected to attend the placement unless the shift includes the bank holiday as a day off.

Compassionate or other Leave

Students who require leave from the course for compassionate or any other reason (not sickness) must obtain permission for leave from the Faculty through their respective Programme Leader. They will require a compassionate leave form available from the Faculty (S1SS)

Queries regarding a student’s pattern of attendance should be made to the Practice Learning Unit

Health and Safety

Students are to attend the induction prior to commencing placement and will be advised as to the Health and Safety Policy within the Trust or Placement providers’ area of responsibility. Students are bound by the Health and Safety Policy, Infection Control Policy and any others pertinent in the practice placement area.

Guidelines for Students on working hours whilst on practice placement

The student working week should be 37.5 hours long. The scheduling of those shifts worked should be in accordance with the Faculty’s guidelines on student working hours. See Appendix 4 for further details on the hours that students work in practice setting.

Student Conduct whilst on Placement

Students are issued with the Professional Code of Conduct (NMC 2004), they must adhere to the at all times. Inappropriate behaviour can be investigated by the Programme Leader and appropriate action taken.

It is the responsibility of every Midwifery Student to arrive at their placement punctually and appropriately dressed.

Responsibilities of the Placement Area

If a practice placement area feels a student is behaving inappropriately, the Ward Manager (or equivalent) should discuss this with the PEF. If the matter remains unresolved, it should be brought to the attention of the appropriate Head of School using the protocol at Appendix 5 -Protocol For Handling Alleged Misconduct By A Student In A Practice Setting

23 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

DRESS CODE

Students are requested to check the uniform requirement when they first make contact with the practice placement. However, whether they are required to wear uniform or not, are made aware that they will be meeting patients, clients, and that therefore their dress should reflect their professional position.

They are advised that dress should be safe and hygienic. The list below, contained in the Student Placement Manual, gives some general points on maintaining the professional image.

Bank Work Do not wear UWE Uniform or Student badge when undertaking work for Bank or Agency.

Hair If you have long hair, please ensure it is securely tied back. If you have short hair, it should be of a tidy appearance requiring a minimum of “maintenance”

Jewellery/Watches All jewellery should be discrete. If you have pierced ears stud earrings should be worn. Do not wear large or fashionable watches that may cause harm when handling patients.

General Appearance All clothes worn whilst on placement should be well laundered and maintained.

Shoes For both male and female students, black lace up shoes should be worn. Footwear should be kept clean and in good repair. Female students should wear black or natural coloured tights/stockings.

Coats You are not required to buy a coat but it is a good idea to purchase a dark coloured full-length coat or raincoat which will completely cover your uniform whilst travelling. This is particularly useful when undertaking community-based Health Visitor or Community Midwifery placements

Smoking You should observe all no smoking rules in operation whilst on practice placement

When travelling Whilst travelling it would be preferable to travel in your own clothes and change into your uniform when you arrive where there should be changing facilities. If this is not possible, uniform should be completely covered and worn for the minimum amount of time outside your placement. It is inadvisable to be seen in public in uniform as members of the public may mistake you for trained staff and seek assistance that is inappropriate to your status.

24 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

SICKNESS AND ABSENCE POLICY BSc (Hons) 3 year and 78 week Midwifery Programmes

Introduction

As part of the criteria for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the length of the pre-registration programme of education shall be not less than 3 years with 45 programmed weeks each year. Where the student is already registered with the NMC as a Nurse level 1 (adult), the length of the programme shall not be less than 78 weeks. These Midwifery programmes have been designed to meet the statutory hours and therefore the University will monitor closely sickness and absence to ensure students are eligible for registration as qualified practitioners.

Attendance

Manual Handling, Neonatal Resuscitation and Midwifery Skills sessions are compulsory and therefore 100% attendance is required for these sessions. Students are expected to attend 95% of the remaining timetabled sessions.

Students are reminded that attendance records are taken in to account when considering individual progress through the course.

Practice Placements

All practice placements are deemed compulsory. Students will be required to complete a Clinical Attendance Card (Appendix 3) whilst on practice placement. This should be counter- signed by their placement supervisor/mentor as an accurate record of the placement experience. On completion, students are responsible for returning this record to the cohort leader, who will then forward it to the Practice Learning Unit on the student’s behalf.

It is the responsibility of each student to inform the placement, the midwifery administration office and the Practice Learning Unit if s/he is unable to attend and when s/he would expect to return (see over).

Working Long Shifts

It is becoming common practice for Trusts to allow midwives to work long shifts (for example 07.30 – 21.15hrs. It is permissible for students to also work this shift pattern however, they are not obliged to do so. The most important consideration is that they work with their mentor at least two shifts per week. If they choose to work the long shift pattern, then they must also ensure that they have a midwife to oversee their practice for the entire shift. If they are working with their named mentor for a long shift, this can equate to the minimum time spent with their mentor per week.

It is imperative that they record long shifts accurately on the clinical attendance card. The total number of hours per week is 37.5 hours. Meal breaks are not included in the calculation of these hours.

If at any time the mentor or other members of staff feel that this work pattern is detrimental to the student’s progress on the course, they must revert to the normal shift pattern. If they are absent or off sick for a long shift, the total number of hours will be taken into consideration

25 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______with regards to making up time. Remember that students must work with their mentor the equivalent of two standard shifts per week. This requirement is essential to ensure the quality of their practice experience.

Absence Reporting

Students are required to notify the Faculty of all absences according to the following procedure.

On the first morning of absence, students should contact the Practice Learning Unit. If absence exceeds three days, students are required to submit a self-certificate form. Absence in excess of seven days must be supported by a doctor’s medical certificate.

It would also be helpful if you could telephone the Midwifery School office at UWE on 0117 32 88457 if a student does not report for duty as arranged and has not made any contact with you.

Accidents on Practice Placement

If a student is sick or absent as a result of an accident whilst on practice placement then they should ensure that an accident report is completed in accordance with the placement Health and Safety regulation. A copy of the Accident report should also be given to the student to return to their personal tutor in the Faculty, this will be retained in the student file.

26 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS POLICY for UWE 3 year Midwifery Students

The qualified midwife remains accountable for the correct administration of the drugs as prescribed on all occasions.

The 3 year BSc (Hons) Midwifery students are not registered nurses and therefore they will need active involvement in drug administration from their first clinical placement. They will be expected to pass a numeracy test during the initial 20 weeks of the programme. They will also need to meet the assessment requirements in the clinical assessment documentation at Level 2 by the end of year one and level 3 by the end of year two. This will not be achievable unless they are actively participating in drug administration.

In order to achieve level 4:-

 The student should have substantial experience of drug administration in the midwifery practice environment.  The student should be fully aware of the implications of the drugs in relation to midwifery  The student should also be aware of and comply with local policies and the patient group directives.

It is an expectation that students will participate in the administration of all drugs including situations when one or two trained persons are required to check the drug prior to administration. In these circumstances students will be observers for the checking process. However, they should be encouraged to be the administrator of the drug under direct supervision (NMC rules 5 points), provided they have received the appropriate training as to use, dosage and methods of administration (NMC 2004, Rule 7 pg 19).

This will include:-  Prescribed stock drugs e.g. Standing Orders, Protocols and Patient Group Directives  IV Fluids.  IV Additives.  Blood and blood products.  All injections.  All drugs administered to neonates.  Epidural top-up.

Two trained midwives/nurses are required to check the above list; however, one trained midwife/nurse may be substituted by a pre-registration student midwife who is in the final stage of the programme and has:-

 Successfully passed the numeracy test.  Attended all the pharmacology lectures.  Achieved level 4 for the administration of drugs in the assessment document.

This will always be at the discretion of the ward manager/senior midwife on duty.

At all times the student will remain under the supervision of a registered midwife, who remains accountable for the correct administration of the drug as prescribed on these occasions.

At no stage during the programme is it expected that 3 year student midwives will be solo drug administrators.

27 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS POLICY for UWE 78 week/18month Midwifery Students

The qualified midwife remains accountable for the correct administration of the drugs as prescribed on all occasions

The 78 Week (18 month) BSc (Hons) Midwifery students are registered nurses and will be on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register for Nurses and Midwives but the contract of employment they hold is as a student midwife. This has implications in relation to drug administration in that they should not be treated as being on the midwifery part of the register. Therefore, in relation to drug administration, they hold student status.

They will need to meet the assessment requirements as in the Record of Clinical Achievement document. It is inappropriate to award a level 4 before the initial 34 weeks of the programme have been completed.

In order to achieve level 4:-  The student should have substantial experience of drug administration in the midwifery practice environment.  The student should be fully aware of the implications of the drugs in relation to midwifery.  The student should also be aware of and comply with local policies and the patient group directives.

It is an expectation that students will participate in the administration of all drugs including situations when one or two trained persons are required to check the drug prior to administration. In these circumstances students will be observers for the checking process. However, they can be the administrator of the drug under direct supervision provided they have received the appropriate training (NMC rules, 5 points), as to use, dosage and methods of administration (NMC 2004, rule 7, pg19).

Two trained midwives/nurses are required to check the above list; one trained midwife/nurse may be substituted with a pre-registration student midwife who has achieved level 4 for the administration of drugs in the assessment document.

The student will remain under the supervision of a registered midwife, who remains accountable for the correct administration of the drug as prescribed on these occasions. At no stage during the programme is it expected that 78 week/18 month student midwives will be the solo drug administrators.

28 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETION OF PRACTICE PLACEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR STUDENTS UNDERTAKING COURSES LEADING TO THE MIDWIVES PART OF THE REGISTER

BSc (Hons) Midwifery 3 year Programme

Practice placements should enable growth and development of the skills, attitudes and knowledge required by you to become a competent midwifery practitioner.

Year One

This will include gynaecological nursing, antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal experience with the emphasis on normal low risk aspects of childbearing. On completion of these you should be competent to plan and implement care in situations of normality, whilst recognising deviations which require referral. It is also important that you observe women feeding their infants in a variety of settings. You will be expected to attain level 2 in all competencies except management by the end of year 1.

Year Two

Concepts of caring for women in whom childbearing deviates from the norm and are considered to be at high risk are introduced, together with the consolidation of midwifery skills in low risk care. You will return to familiar placements as well as new areas such as a neonatal unit. You are expected to build on previous experience to differentiate between the main elements of a situation in order to prioritise care. You are also expected to apply research to your practice and attain level 3 in all competencies except management by the end of year 2.

Year Three

During this year the emphasis is on continuing to develop the skills for managing yourself as a professional midwife. This will be achieved by incorporating caseload management, ward and management of others. You also need to develop an understanding of the complexities of managing the Midwifery Services. Management of practice is essential and you will be expected to perform the role of the midwife unaided within the boundaries of the midwives sphere of practice ie attain level 4 for all competencies by the end of year 3. This year also allows opportunity for a period of novice practice and the completion of NMC requirements for registration.

This document has been developed to encourage active participation in assessment by the mentor and yourself to enable evaluation of progress. The course philosophy encourages you to take responsibility for your own learning. You are expected to identify your learning needs and be proactive in seeking to fulfil these. You also need to ensure during the three years that you participate in interprofessional collaborative working where possible.

Each placement will require completion of a preliminary, midpoint and final interview. An action plan is to be identified as part of the preliminary and midpoint interviews in order to plan your experience and supervision.

NB: Clinical competencies already achieved must be maintained. The mentor has the authority to review competencies and reassess at a lower level if necessary.

29 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

PLAN OF ASSESSMENT FOR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

WEEK 1

A preliminary interview should be carried out to identify learning needs and formulate an action plan. Orientation to the area should be included in this interview.

Throughout the placement, you should receive verbal feedback regularly regarding your progress. Care should be taken by your mentor to ensure adequate supervision, relevant experiences and teaching for you.

The "Occasional Use Assessment Document" should be completed by midwives (other than the named mentor) on each occasion that your mentor is not available to work with you and discussed with your mentor when possible.

MIDPOINT OF PLACEMENT

The midpoint (formative) assessment will be used to identify strengths and weaknesses, in order for you and your mentor to devise an action plan to encourage successful achievement of the NMC statutory requirements.

END OF PLACEMENT

The final (summative) assessment should clearly identify which NMC statutory requirements have been attained during the placement. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THIS TAKES PLACE DURING THE PENULTIMATE WEEK OF YOUR PLACEMENT. On completion of the programme, all NMC requirements should have been attained.

If at anytime during the allocation it is considered by the mentor that you are not functioning to the expected performance level then the "Discussion Surrounding Issues Relating to Student’s Progress form" should be completed. Either you or your mentor may telephone the Practice Support Line for advice and support.

30 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

STUDENT SUPPORT WHILST ON PLACEMENT:-

1 Contact the Practice Support Line (0117 32 88927) if you have any worries or concerns.

2 The Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) can be contacted by your mentor if there are practice issues to be resolved.

3 The Practice Associate Lecturer in Midwifery for the relevant area may be contacted by either the student or the mentor (see list at back of document).

Achievement of the required outcomes may be assessed at any point during the course. There are four performance levels to be used for the assessment of your ability. These are an adaptation of Benner (1984).

The minimum prescribed Performance level 2 must be achieved by completion of Stage 1 (except for the management section and any shaded areas). The minimum prescribed Performance level 4 must be achieved for all outcomes by completion of the course (including the management section and final labour competencies.).

Each outcome relates to NMC Midwives Rules (2004) and the Domains of Midwifery Practice (2004) and has been broken down into its constituent parts to assist in interpretation. Assessment will take place during Stage 1 and Stage 2 with a re-assessment as required either by yourself or your mentor.

When performance level 4 has been achieved early in the course, reassessment is not required unless you request it or your mentor considers that this level has not been maintained.

The penultimate section of the document relates to the clinical skills required of a midwife which are not specified previously. These may be achieved and assessed at any time throughout the course, using the same performance levels as in the previous section. You need to ensure these are included in your placement action plans where appropriate.

The final section has been included to allow for documentation of discussions surrounding issues relating to your progress. You, your mentor or personal tutor may at anytime during the course initiate the discussion. In addition, a copy of the page should be included in your portfolio. If an action plan is set up following the discussion then a copy should be given to your personal tutor so they can help to support you.

31 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETION OF PRACTICE PLACEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR STUDENTS UNDERTAKING COURSES LEADING TO ENTRY ON TO THE MIDWIVES PART OF THE NMC REGISTER

BSc (Hons) MIDWIFERY 78 week Programme

Practice placements should enable growth and development of the skills, attitudes and knowledge required by you to become a competent midwifery practitioner.

Part 1 (Wk 1-33)

This will include antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal experience with the emphasis on normal aspects of childbearing. On completion of these you should be competent to plan and implement care in situations of normality, whilst recognising deviations that require referral.

Part 2 (Wk 34-78)

Concepts of caring for women in whom childbearing deviates from the norm and are considered to be at high risk are introduced together with the consolidation of midwifery skills in low risk care. You will return to familiar placements as well as new areas such as a neonatal unit.

During weeks 26-50 the emphasis is on continuing to develop as a professional midwife and understanding the complexities of managing the Midwifery Service. This will be achieved by incorporating caseload management, ward and management of others.

NB: Clinical competencies already achieved must be maintained. The mentor has the authority to review competencies and reassess at a lower level if necessary.

32 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

PLAN OF ASSESSMENT FOR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

WEEK 1

A preliminary interview should be carried out to identify learning needs and formulate an action plan. Orientation to the area should be included in this interview.

MIDPOINT OF PLACEMENT

END OF PLACEMENT

33 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

STUDENT SUPPORT WHILST ON PLACEMENT:-

1 Contact the Practice Support Line (0117 32 88927) if you have any worries or concerns.

2 The Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) can be contacted by your mentor if there are practice issues to be resolved.

3 The Practice Associate Lecturer in Midwifery for the relevant area may be contacted by either the student or the mentor (see list at back of document).

The minimum prescribed Performance level 2 must be achieved by completion of Part 1 (except for the management section). The minimum prescribed Performance level 4 must be achieved for all outcomes by completion of the course (including the management section).

Each outcome relates to NMC Midwives Rules (2004) and the Domains of Midwifery Practice (2004) and has been broken down into its constituent parts to assist in interpretation. Assessment will take place during Part 1 and Part 2 with a re-assessment as required either by yourself or your mentor.

When performance level 4 has been achieved early in the course, reassessment is not required unless you request it or your mentor considers that this level has not been maintained.

The final section has been included to allow for documentation of discussions surrounding issues relating to your progress. The discussion may be initiated by yourself, your mentor or personal tutor at anytime during the course. In addition, a copy of the page should be included in your portfolio.

34 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETION OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE RECORD

At the completion of training, the approved midwife teacher and you have to sign a declaration that specific clinical experience has been achieved, in order to be admitted to the NMC professional register. To facilitate this and to meet other NMC requirements, evidence of experience needs to be collected throughout your course. Your Register of Cases (1 and 2) together with your ongoing clinical assessments provides this.

As a professional midwife, part of your responsibility will be to keep accurate, contemporaneous records. For this reason most of the record keeping relating to your clinical experience is your own responsibility and, with the exception of vaginal examinations (VE’s), does not require countersigning by a midwife. A midwife is required to sign VE’s, so that their accuracy can be authenticated and a platform for discussion is provided. When you are working in the delivery suite, you should ask your personal tutor to look at these every time you have an appointment. By the time you have performed 40 VE’s, it is hoped that competency can be demonstrated. Should proficiency not be reached, you will be required to perform more, until competence is demonstrated. VE’s should be performed on women for whom you are providing care. Remember with all clinical experience, consent from the client is required and findings discussed.

For all other clinical experience, your own documentation will be sufficient proof of achievement. PLEASE REMEMBER TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY. A more detailed explanation of the requirements to be recorded can be found below. It is useful for your transcript of training if you continue to record additional experience, especially of deliveries and of women at risk, even when you have fulfilled the NMC registration criteria. For simplifying the recognition that all the required clinical experience has been completed, please record or highlight items that you witness in green, all “at risk” cases, in red and the remainder in black.

100 Antenatal Examinations

These should include advising mothers and performing both a general examination and abdominal examination. The 100 should include women at all stages of pregnancy. One woman can be examined on several occasions as long as the examinations are made on different days. By seeing the same woman on several occasions, the changes in pregnancy can be more clearly observed, especially if a week or more elapses between each examination. You can also highlight those at risk or with complications.

Witness Deliveries

These should be normal vaginal deliveries and includes the delivery of the placenta and membranes. You are advised to witness some before conducting deliveries personally and you should have been involved in the care of the mother beforehand. The number that you witness before conducting deliveries yourself will depend upon the midwife. Various factors will be considered, such as your progress and the suitability of the mother and her labour for a learner’s first delivery.

Supervision and Care of at Least 40 Women in Labour

These can include any woman for whom you care for a reasonable length of time during her labour. The 40 personal deliveries should all be conducted on mothers for whom you have provided care.

35 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

Conduct 40 Personal Deliveries These must include the delivery of the placenta and membranes. If medical aid has to be sought, the delivery can be included among those mothers who you care for who are at risk. You should examine all the newborn babies of the mothers you deliver.

Performance of Episiotomies and Suturing Initiation into the performance of episiotomies and into perineal suturing should include both theoretical instruction and clinical practice. Suturing practice should include repair of both episiotomies and simple perineal lacerations. This may be in a simulated situation if absolutely necessary.

Supervision and the Care of 40 Women at Risk in Pregnancy, Labour or the Post Natal Period In order to ensure a balance, 10 women at risk antenatally, 10 mothers at risk in labour, 10 deliveries in which the second or third stage is abnormal and 10 mothers who have a postnatal complication should be provided with care. The EU directives require a total of 40 women in these categories to be looked after but for your future transcript of training, please record all such experiences. The 10 mothers whose deliveries are complicated in the second or third stage should be in addition to the other 10 women who are at risk in labour. Some of the mothers should have pathological conditions. It does not matter how early in pregnancy the care is given. With antenatal and postnatal mothers, evidence of continuity of care is desirable.

The NMC require you to actively participate in vaginal breech deliveries. Please take the chance to be involved whenever it occurs. If no opportunity arises, simulated practice can be done instead, but there is no proper substitute for the real thing. Twin deliveries are not a specific requirement but are also a useful adjunct to your experience.

At risk labours should include any mother in whom the normal physiology of labour is altered. These therefore include augmentation and induction of labour by any means except the use of prostaglandins alone. Epidurals can also interfere with normal progress. Posterior positions in labour can be included in the complicated labours. If any mother in a risk category delivers normally and you conduct the delivery, the experience can be counted as both a personal delivery and as the care of a woman at risk in labour.

The Neonate at Delivery You are required to be proficient in fulfilling the midwife’s role in relation to the healthy baby at birth. You should be capable of initiating and maintaining respiration in the mildly respiratory depressed baby for whom paediatric assistance is not being sought. Checking resuscitation equipment and assisting the paediatrician with a compromised baby is valuable experience which you should endeavour to acquire.

100 Postnatal Examinations Supervision and care of at least 100 postnatal women - This includes the examination of both the mothers and their healthy newborn babies. Each mother should only be counted once and should be examined on more than one day and preferably for at least three days. Three mothers should be followed over a 6-8 week period as the midwife may be responsible for care up until that time. You can also highlight those at risk or with a complication.

Attendance at Clinics You should ask your community midwife to arrange these. It is suggested that a minimum of one family planning and one child health clinic should be observed. The midwife may be able to suggest other appropriate observational visits to enhance your understanding of the health needs of the local child bearing population.

36 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______APPENDIX 1 FACULTY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PRACTICE LEARNING UNIT

0117 3281153

MIDWIFERY BSC (HONS) SEPTEMBER 2005 INTAKE 3 YEAR COURSE 13 NOVEMBER – 17 DECEMBER 2005 COMMUNITY

STUDENT NAME PL. CODE PLACEMENT TELEPHONE CONTACT NUMBER Joanna Smith 0248 Gynae Rotation, Russett Ward, Gloucester Royal Hospital 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE June Jones 0246 Gynae Rotation, General Theatres, Cheltenham General Hospital 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Harry Ford 0206 Gynae Rotation, Russett Ward, Gloucester Royal Hospital 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Charlotte Bronson 0217 Maternity Unit, Stroud Maternity Hospital 01453-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Julie Smith 0218 Cheltenham Community Midwifery 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE John Jones 0220 Tewkesbury Community Midwifery 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Alison Steptoe 0222 Coleford Community Midwifery 01594-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Anna Sharples 0885 Community Midwifery, Gloucester Royal Hospital 08454-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Elise Tanner 0893 Wootton under Edge, Stroud Maternity Hospital 01453-428331 SISTER/C NURSE Melanie Gibson 0765 Gynae Rotation, General Theatres, Cheltenham General Hospital

GLOUCESTER STUDENTS ONLY

STUDY DAYS: 17 November’06, 8 December’06

37 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

APPENDIX 2

Example of a Memo about Change of Allocation

FACULTY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

PRACTICE LEARNING UNIT

MEMORANDUM

To: Practice Placement Area

From: Practice Learning Unit

Date: 7 October 2004

STUDENT PLACEMENT

Would you please note that student M J Smith will NOT be undertaking her placement with you from 14 September to 20 December 2004 as previously advised.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused but this student has had to have her placement re-arranged.

We thank you for your assistance.

Allocation Officer Practice Learning Unit

38 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______

APPENDIX 3

39 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______APPENDIX 4

STUDENT WORKING HOURS IN PRACTICE – PROTOCOL

 Students will undertake a range of shifts from the outset of their programme, including night shifts

 Students will work weekends from commencement of the programme as appropriate to the practice setting.

 Long shifts ( i.e. more than 7.5 hrs) are not required but can be negotiated with the student if the placement uses a long shift system

40 University of the West of England Placement Information Manual, Pre-Registration Midwifery Faculty of Health and Social Care ______APPENDIX 5

Protocol for Handling Alleged Misconduct by a Student in a Practice Setting

Trust named contact person or non-NHS link manager

Contacts appropriate Liaise with Academic Head of the Practice Head of School or Dean Learning Unit

Dean (or Associate Dean in Dean’s In the light of the complaint and the absence) advises student of student’s response, the Dean either complaint. Student has the right to (a) recommends to the Vice-Chancellor be accompanied by UWESU officer. that the student be suspended1; or (b) withdraws the student from placement to study leave.

Dean arranges for investigation of complaint by Faculty.

Sufficient evidence that complaint is justified? YES

NO Professional suitability issue?

Dean reinstates student2 NO

Refer to Clerk to Governors (Student YES Disciplinary Procedure)

Refer to Academic Secretary (Expulsion for Academic Reasons)

Recommendation for withdrawal Student Expelled 3 from programme upheld? YES NO Student Leaves Student Leaves Programme University Student warned or Complaint dismissed

Key: 1 If the student is charged with a criminal offence, suspension is normal. 2 New placement may be necessary. 3 Following appeal to Governors, if applicable. Outcome notified to Programme Leader, Personal Tutor and Director, Practice Learning Unit. Records placed on student and central files.