STAFF from maternity units all over Ireland gathered in Limerick last week for a training and education event aimed at reducing neonatal brain injury.
The two-day CTG (cardiotocography) Masterclass was hosted by UL Hospitals Group at the CERC Building, UHL, and attracted dozens of midwives, midwife managers, consultants and NCHDs from the four corners of Ireland, north and south.
This is the fifth such masterclass hosted by the Maternal and Child Health Directorate, UL Hospitals Group, and the event is run free-of-charge for these professionals to help improve perinatal outcomes.
This latest masterclass was led by Dr Edwin Chandararan, Lead Consultant in Labour Ward and Lead for Clinical Governance at St. George’s University Hospital, London, and by Dr Susana Pereira, Consultant in Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust.
CTG allows obstetric and midwifery staff record fetal heartbeat and contractions during labour and the technique is essential in detecting early signs of foetal distress, including hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Brain injury during labour is among the most devastating outcomes in medicine and through its series of masterclasses, UL Hospitals Group, is demonstrating its commitment to reducing it.
“A primary action for meeting this priority is through multidisciplinary training and education events such as our CTG masterclass,” explained Margaret Quigley, Director of Midwifery , UL Hospitals Group. “It is so important that midwives and doctors who are working together are training together. The aim of our CTG masterclass is to promote understanding of foetal physiology to ensure the best possible outcomes”.
Dr Gerry Burke, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Clinical Director, Maternal and Child Health Directorate, UL Hospitals Group, said: “University Maternity Hospital Limerick has made the eradication of neonatal brain injury its first priority. This condition is also a major priority for the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme.”
