Developing ‘Human Factors’ skills

Exploring the vital role that non-technical skills play in improving team working, communication & patient safety. The basics of human factors training for the maternity care team.

£95 for full day of training, including lunch, tea and coffee.

To book please click on the selected course above and fill out our online application form. Please note administration fee charges of £30 per booking will be made for any cancellations – as we are a not for profit organisation and will have incurred costs.

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*Start times may vary for in-house training courses

Please click on a course on the table below to book your place.

Mr Rehan Khan

BIRTH2 Course Director - Developing 'Human Factors' Skills
Ms Sally Burton

BIRTH2 Course Director - Developing 'Human Factors' Skills
Dr Chris Sadler

BIRTH2 Course Director - Developing 'Human Factors' Skills
Susanna Crowe

Consultant in Obstetrics

Course Outline

In the last Confidential Enquiry, the vast majority of direct maternal deaths involved an element of substandard care; with teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills cited as areas of particular concern. These weaknesses result not just in increased mortality, but also significant morbidity and economic losses, with malpractice claims in obstetrics and gynaecology representing half of the UK NHS litigation bill over the last ten years.

The social skills of communication, team-working and leadership and the cognitive skills of situational awareness and decision-making are considered to be key ‘non- technical skills’ (NTS). Such skills are of particular relevance to the acute maternity care team on the Delivery Suite, where multiple tasks are often required simultaneously, the woman is usually awake, and the clinical circumstances may be complex and stressful.

Aims of the Course

This exciting and innovative course will provide an introduction to the NTS and how we may develop them in relation to our everyday practice as busy professionals.

To provide an overview of the importance of human factors on the Delivery Suite and an introduction to non-technical skills training
To integrate this with the lessons from the NHSLA report “Ten Years of Maternity Claims”

Objectives of the Course

To gain an awareness of what non-technical skills are and how they apply on Delivery Suite
To develop an understanding of how we can improve our non-technical skills with a view to improving patient safety in the longer term
To promote an awareness of the need for adequate support and supervision

Relevant For

The course is ideally taught in a multidisciplinary setting and is relevant to all members of the acute maternity team including midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists. It is also relevant for allied health professionals (AHPs) such as support workers, operating department practitioners, theatre nurses and receptionists. Medico-legal practitioners are also welcome.

Please note: Interactive workstations will be in groups of a specified number, each with experienced faculty drawn from all relevant groups.

Content

A one-day multidisciplinary course that will focus on developing ‘human factors’ skills in the delivery suite, with workshops in the following pertinent areas:

Team working
Situation awareness & decision making
Leadership
Teaching human factors through simulation
Stress, fatigue & communication

93% rated quality of education as ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’

100% of delegates reported an effective influence on practice

100% reported that they would consider or intended to modify practice after seeking more information