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The First Trimester Screening Clinic (FTSC) opened in Exeter on 3 May
2005. It provides early Down's syndrome screening and all of the routine
antenatal screening for women during the first trimester of pregnancy,
as recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE),
during a single visit.
NEWS FROM THE RD&E
Thursday 22 February 2007
RD&E team shortlisted for Health
and Social Care Innovative Service Award
The RD&E First Trimester Screening
Clinic (FTSC) team, which provides a Down's syndrome and nationally
recommended screening service for pregnant women, has been shortlisted
for the annual Health and Social Care Awards in the category 'Innovative
Service'. Members of the team will travel to London for a ceremony
on Monday 26 February, when they will hear if they have been successful
in winning one of the coveted awards, recognising excellence in healthcare.
The work to develop the FTSC has been
led by Dr Helen Liversedge, who explains 'Previously two different
tests were being carried out for Down's syndrome screening; one at
twelve weeks and the second at sixteen weeks. Some women chose only
to have one test and others experienced anxiety during the wait between
the two tests. The project was conceived because clinicians locally
wanted to provide the best possible evidence-based service to pregnant
women and their families, by developing a simple process to provide
quicker, more accurate testing.'
The First Trimester Screening Clinic
(FTSC) opened in Exeter on 3 May 2005. It provides early Down's syndrome
screening and all of the routine antenatal screening for women during
the first trimester of pregnancy, as recommended by the National Institute
for Clinical Excellence (NICE), during a single visit.
Initial discussions are carried out by
the community midwife at the woman's home, promoting informed choice.
Written consent is obtained for each screening test and a convenient
appointment is made there and then on a dedicated phone line. The woman
is given a "passport", outlining her route through each stage of
the clinic.
At the screening stage all routine antenatal
bloods are taken at one time, along with a mid-stream urine specimen.
High-risk results are reported to the mother within 24 hours, and the
team aims to give all other results within one week. Skilled counselling
is available universally to support decision making.
This approach already exceeds targets
set for April 2007 by the Department of Health, which specify a detection
rate of greater than 75%, and a false positive result rate of less than
3%.
Says Dr Liversedge 'Setting up the
FTSC involved redesign in many areas of practice, from clinical to administration
to management, and as such is a fantastic example of effective multi-disciplinary
team working. We're all delighted that the FTSC is having such a positive
impact on local women and their families.'
'The team deserves the greatest of
praise for their work' says Pete Adey, Directorate Manager for Child
and Women's Health. 'The new service provides an exceptional level
of care for all women in our area. Reducing anxiety for families and
providing timely counselling has been possible due to the commitment
and expertise of everyone involved. We wish them the very best of luck
on Monday.'
ENDS
Media contact: Pauline McCluskey 01392
402262
Notes for editors:
The annual Health and Social Care Awards
are run in partnership between the Department of Health and the NHS
Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
For further information visit <a href=http://www.healthandsocialcareawards.org/www.healthandsocialcareawards.org
The First Trimester Screening Clinic (FTSC) opened in Exeter on 3 May
2005. It provides early Down's syndrome screening and all of the routine
antenatal screening for women during the first trimester of pregnancy,
as recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE),
during a single visit.
NEWS FROM THE RD&E
Thursday 22 February 2007
RD&E team shortlisted for Health
and Social Care Innovative Service Award
The RD&E First Trimester Screening
Clinic (FTSC) team, which provides a Down's syndrome and nationally
recommended screening service for pregnant women, has been shortlisted
for the annual Health and Social Care Awards in the category 'Innovative
Service'. Members of the team will travel to London for a ceremony
on Monday 26 February, when they will hear if they have been successful
in winning one of the coveted awards, recognising excellence in healthcare.
The work to develop the FTSC has been
led by Dr Helen Liversedge, who explains 'Previously two different
tests were being carried out for Down's syndrome screening; one at
twelve weeks and the second at sixteen weeks. Some women chose only
to have one test and others experienced anxiety during the wait between
the two tests. The project was conceived because clinicians locally
wanted to provide the best possible evidence-based service to pregnant
women and their families, by developing a simple process to provide
quicker, more accurate testing.'
The First Trimester Screening Clinic
(FTSC) opened in Exeter on 3 May 2005. It provides early Down's syndrome
screening and all of the routine antenatal screening for women during
the first trimester of pregnancy, as recommended by the National Institute
for Clinical Excellence (NICE), during a single visit.
Initial discussions are carried out by
the community midwife at the woman's home, promoting informed choice.
Written consent is obtained for each screening test and a convenient
appointment is made there and then on a dedicated phone line. The woman
is given a "passport", outlining her route through each stage of
the clinic.
At the screening stage all routine antenatal
bloods are taken at one time, along with a mid-stream urine specimen.
High-risk results are reported to the mother within 24 hours, and the
team aims to give all other results within one week. Skilled counselling
is available universally to support decision making.
This approach already exceeds targets
set for April 2007 by the Department of Health, which specify a detection
rate of greater than 75%, and a false positive result rate of less than
3%.
Says Dr Liversedge 'Setting up the
FTSC involved redesign in many areas of practice, from clinical to administration
to management, and as such is a fantastic example of effective multi-disciplinary
team working. We're all delighted that the FTSC is having such a positive
impact on local women and their families.'
'The team deserves the greatest of
praise for their work' says Pete Adey, Directorate Manager for Child
and Women's Health. 'The new service provides an exceptional level
of care for all women in our area. Reducing anxiety for families and
providing timely counselling has been possible due to the commitment
and expertise of everyone involved. We wish them the very best of luck
on Monday.'
ENDS
Media contact: Pauline McCluskey 01392
402262
Notes for editors:
The annual Health and Social Care Awards
are run in partnership between the Department of Health and the NHS
Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
For further information visit <a href=http://www.healthandsocialcareawards.org/www.healthandsocialcareawards.org