Chairman Professor Richard Scothon recently visited the Pregnancy Assessment Unit at the University Hospital of North Durham, where he was given an overview of the early impact of the newly launched Birmingham Symptom-specific Obstetric Triage System (BSOTS).
The BSOTS system, designed to prioritise maternity care based on specific symptoms, has already led to significant improvements in the timeliness of care.
Since its implementation, there has been a notable increase in the percentage of women and birthing people seen within 15 minutes of arrival, enhancing patient safety and experience.
Using symptom-specific clinical algorithms, midwives assess the urgency of care required, ensuring that higher-risk patients are seen immediately while others are managed based on clinical need.
This structured and consistent approach supports safer decision-making and more efficient care delivery.
During his visit, Professor Scothon was joined by Kim Williams, Director of Midwifery, as they met with staff and new team members in the unit. He praised the collaborative spirit and professionalism shown by the maternity teams.
The visit highlights continued efforts across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to adopt evidence-based systems that improve outcomes and patient experiences.
