Key Result Areas:

Job Purpose:

The post-holder will support the development and implementation of the PPHS within the organisation and across the LMNS.  

The post-holder will work with women and families to ensure that effective and robust communication systems are in place for women, families and staff and will actively promote a culture of health education and ill-health prevention with support from the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT). 

The post-holder will work with the Deputy Head of Midwifery, the PPHS team members and the wider NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB to identify the plan and resources to implement post-natal physiotherapy, as described in the NHS Long Term Plan. 

Provide specialist care for women with pelvic health dysfunction, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), other childbirth related perineal trauma and pregnancy related bladder/bowel dysfunction in collaboration with the pelvic health physiotherapist team.

To work with and support pelvic health physiotherapy and maternity services in the day-to-day management of OASI and perineal trauma services.

To implement and provide specialist evidence-based care for women with OASIs, other CRPT and pregnancy related bladder/bowel dysfunction, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.  Including the provision of endoanal ultrasound scans and counselling of results through the OASI ‘one-stop’ service.

To act as a significant educational resource, both to the wider health care system and trainees in OASI, other CRPT and pregnancy related bladder/bowel dysfunction in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Contribute to ongoing audit activities with the South Warwickshire ICB in line with nationally agreed KPI’s of the early implementer system, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management Responsibilities

To take a significant role in collaborating with and supporting the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service, Maternity and Urogynaecology in leading the team in line with the strategic direction of the PPHS. 

Participate in the selection and induction of new Urogynaecology/OASI support posts. This includes chairing selection interviews and ensuring effective induction of new staff, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Professional Contribution

To play an active role in ensuring the Urogynaecology/OASI department effectively contributes to the achievement of the strategic aims and objectives of the ICB. This will include issues relating to infection control, risk management, complaints, incident investigation, essence of care, care quality commission and health and safety. 

Clinical Care

To review women in the postnatal period in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

To review women in the antenatal period, to discuss and decide mode of birth for subsequent pregnancy.

To work with the wider MDT in providing care to women with OASI.

Provide endoanal ultrasound tests for women with OASI and other non-pregnancy related bowel complications, as appropriate, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To provide support and leadership in developing clinical skills of the team when caring for women with OASI in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To lead a Perineal Review Clinic providing care to women with complications within the postnatal period, with referral to the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in line with parameters for automatic referral set and using judgement of individual patients needs to onward referrals as appropriate.

Using highly developed knowledge, experience and skills to provide one-to-one antenatal and postnatal consultations for women within these patient groups. The aim of which is to optimise maternal outcomes whilst providing sensitive, woman centred care.   

Review and maintain specific perineal guidelines and policies and be active in implementing the guidelines within the wider midwifery team. Update leaflets and develop literature for women to empower and support them to receive the best care possible. These will all be written in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and MNVP and be evidence based, encouraging and promoting optimal self-care for women.

Provide up to date, evidenced based information and education for colleagues and students to enhance knowledge and skills relating to the perineal care of women in labour and postnatally. Share this within the ICB and further afield where appropriate.

Conduct regular reviews of the effectiveness of any new project through an established Quality Improvement programme, audit or research to ensure they effectively address the needs of the local population and cascade onwards or formally write up for a research article where appropriate. 

Professional leadership and consultancy

Working together with the Pelvic Health Project Physiotherapist in collaboration to:

Provide advice on policy and guidelines concerning pregnancy, childbirth and associated complexities locally, nationally and internationally.

Contribute to publications, interviews, and peer reviewed journals; presents to media, local and national audiences to promote best practice and matters affecting public health.

Advise and provide clinical support for midwives in complex cases, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Lead partnerships with other agencies, internally and externally, and inform commissioning arrangements.

Lead multi-agency and cross boundary approach.

Promote the role of both Midwife and Pelvic Health Physiotherapists in prevention of pelvic health dysfunction and pelvic floor health.

Improvement in – and development of –maternity services in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Develop care pathways and lead on the development and implementation of a variety of action plans reviewing maternity services in partnership with Head of Midwifery and in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Ensure local and national policy is disseminated and implemented.

Provide a visible clinical leadership presence to midwives to help improve standards of maternity care.

Clinical Governance

To maintain, monitor and evaluate standards of care provided to women with OASI and other childbirth related perineal trauma and to assist in the implementation of recommendations from Government or Professional bodies and CQC Regulations in relation to their care, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To lead the clinical audit for women with OASI, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To lead the clinical audit for women with perineal tears and bladder care, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To provide patient information for women with OASI and other childbirth related perineal trauma, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

To be involved in the development and promotion of trust guidelines and protocol for women requiring perineal suturing and bladder care, OASI, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

In association with Trust Consultants (Obstetricians, Gynaecologists and Midwives), ensure that all clinical staff are aware and adhere to all Trust policies, with support from the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Education & training

To be responsible for organising and delivering perineal repair workshops for student midwives, qualified midwives and doctors.

To work clinically on delivery suite to provide support for midwives undertaking CRPT repair.

To provide training for all midwives on bladder care, with support from the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Develop system wide training in pelvic health in collaboration with Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. 

Explore the implementation of Squeezy app across the system with support of the wider MDT.

Information Resources

Ensure all clinical documents are up-to-date, accurate, legible and appropriately filed.

Use IT systems to accurately send communication as appropriate.

Use professional online resources to obtain up to date and relevant information regarding OASI and CRPT knowledge and service provision and to source appropriate health and support services for patients.

Work to provide evidenced based accessible information for service users relating to pelvic floor health, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.

Policy and service development

Play a significant role, in collaboration with the Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, in identifying potential improvements to working practices within the Urogynaecology, Pelvic Health and Maternity service. This will include, contributing to the development of care pathways, participating in designing protocols and policies and refining pathways and processes to improve efficiency and overall care.

Work closely with IT colleagues to improve clinical databases and patient information systems to maximise utility for the clinical service.

Act as a significant resource on service developments and liaise with clinical, managerial, IT, administrative and laboratory colleagues to facilitate future developments.

Identify and respond to opportunities to promote the OASI and CRPT service within the region including creating local networks to facilitate service development e.g. within general practice, obstetrics, antenatal care, midwifery, and nursing specialities.

Undertake audit of OASI and CRPT services locally and contribute to regional and national audit and research, presenting findings regionally, nationally and internationally as appropriate.