To reduce pressure on frontline staff during the pandemic, NHS Resolution has updated the timeline and required safety actions for submissions to the Maternity Incentive Scheme (MIS). The Scheme supports the delivery of safer maternity care through an incentive element linked to Trusts’ Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) contributions. The incentive is based on compliance with ten safety actions designed to improve delivery of best practice in maternity and neonatal services. Trusts that can demonstrate they have achieved all of the ten safety actions will recover their contribution to the CNST maternity incentive fund and will also receive a share of any unallocated funds. Submissions must be made by 12.00pm on 15 July 2021.

Key changes

• Safety action 2 – submission of data to the Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS) to the required standard. An amended approach to data validation acknowledges the impact of Covid-19 and sets out a regime for those who have come close to meeting the requirements.

• Safety action 3 – demonstrating that transitional care services are in place to support the recommendations made in the Avoiding Term Admissions into Neonatal Units Programme. Sub-requirements a) to c) which relate to care pathways and data recording, have been removed.

• Safety action 4 – demonstration of an effective system of clinical workforce planning to the required standard. Standards related to the obstetric workforce have been removed. They have been replaced by a recommendation that Trusts continue to monitor their obstetric workforce requirements and escalate any concerns and action plan to the Trust Board via the Safety Champions.

• Safety action 6 – demonstration of compliance with all 5 elements of Saving Babies Lives care bundle (v.2). The 90% compliance threshold for the number of staff receiving training / successfully completing mandatory annual competency assessments in relation to intrapartum fetal monitoring has been removed. It is recommended that any shortfall is identified and a commitment made to addressing it as soon as possible. Trust Boards should minute in meeting records a written commitment to facilitate local, in-person training when it is permitted.

• Safety action 8 – evidencing ‘in-house’ multi-professional maternity emergencies training. The 90% compliance threshold for training has been removed. The recommendations mirror safety action 6. In addition the requirement related to system testing has been removed.

There are a few other tweaks to the guidance on what constitutes compliance with the standards to reflect the challenges presented by the pandemic.

How Capsticks can help

Capsticks is a national leader in representing both NHS and independent sector healthcare providers as well as medical malpractice insurers. Our dedicated team is renowned for advising on the defence and resolution of clinical negligence claims, inquests, management of complaints, serious incident investigations/inquires and safety and learning. We also provide an innovative outsourcing service for claims and inquests handling.

If you would like to discuss any issues around the MIS or how we might assist you in meeting the safety standards, please contact Philip Hatherall, to find out more how Capsticks can help.