The SCoR has been contacted by members with enquiries about indemnity coverage under the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) maternity incentive scheme if they fail to meet the requirements for Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle version 2 (SBLCBv2), should services be reduced due to the current pandemic, resulting in cancellation of some examinations during pregnancy.
The NHS resolutions incentive scheme means trusts can recover funds if they meet ‘ten safety actions’. One of those actions is Safety Action 6: ‘Can you demonstrate compliance with all five elements of the Saving Babies’ Lives care bundle Version 2?”.
Gill Harrison, SCoR professional officer for ultrasound said, “Many departments are working extremely hard to continue to offer the full range of obstetric ultrasound services in these difficult times.
"NHS Resolutions has issued a statement saying that ‘the majority of reporting requirements relating to the maternity incentive scheme 10 safety actions’ will be paused until the end of August 2020 to help ease the pressure on overstretched clinical departments For those who are unable to provide all the requested scans, the statement will provide much needed reassurance.
“We have every confidence that sonographers will be doing their upmost to try and meet the expectation from NHS Resolution to continue, where possible, to adhere to the principles of SBLCBv2 ‘to support the delivery of safer maternity care.'
"Sonographers are providing excellent care across the UK, managing to provide high quality patient care in obstetric ultrasound and other areas, whilst working under extremely challenging conditions and wearing full PPE.“
Resources
Maternity incentive scheme – year three
Coronavirus outbreak indemnity FAQs
Clinical Negligence Scheme for Coronavirus
Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts