Statutory Supervision of Midwives
LSA Standards for England
Introduction
The LSA Midwifery Officers for England have reviewed the standards for statutory supervision within the context of the NMC Midwives rules and standards.[1] The revised standards relate specifically to the sixteen rules. The NMC published five broad principles from which, in addition to midwifery practice, these standards have been formulated. Evidence of the achievement of these standards will be used by the LSAMO to demonstrate to the NMC that standards for LSA are met in accordance with the Midwives rules & standards.
Audit Process
The proposed process for the audit of the new LSA standards will take a self/peer review approach verification of evidence by the LSA Midwifery Officer employing a targeted sampling technique. Self/peer review is recognised as a powerful tool that stimulates professional development and decentralises power creating awareness of personal accountability[2][3][4].
Evidence in support of achievement of the LSA standards should be continually updated and stored in box files available for verification by the LSA officer at any time. Each Maternity Service will be given a date for the audit visit by which time they should have completed their self -assessment against the criteria of each LSA standard cross referencing against each criterion the evidence of achievement that can be found in the box. The audit team will employ a target sampling technique in respect of each of the five LSA standards.
The audit team will consist of the LSA Midwifery Officer or designate, a user representative from the MSLC, an external supervisor and a student supervisor. The audit team will meet with the supervisory team at the commencement of the day to discuss the out come of their self assessment, the current strategy for supervision and progress made on the action plan for the previous year.
A representative cross sample of midwives will be interviewed to elicit their views on supervision and triangulate the evidence presented in support of achievement of the standards.
Verbal feedback will be provided to the supervisory team on completion of the audit and this will be followed with a written report sent to the Contact Supervisor of Midwives within four weeks. A copy of this report will also be sent to the Strategic Health Authority carrying the LSA responsibility for that Maternity Service.
Following publication of the audit outcome report the supervisory team will review the strategy for supervision and develop a new action plan, thus completing the cycle. The audit outcomes of all maternity services will be collated to provide the NMC with evidence of achievement of their standards for LSA.
January 2005