PURPOSE:
The stories from women and their families travelling through the maternity services in Ireland offers a unique perspective that may otherwise be missed. Listening and learning from their experiences can positively impact clinical safety and identify how services may be improved. Our Lady of Lourdes Maternity Unit facilitated an opportunity both for the women and families using our service and midwives, to come together in an informal manner and talk about their experiences. The workshop brought together midwives with women and families to share their perspective through the use of a board game called “Whose Shoes?”

DISCUSSION:
This game highlighted specific scenarios to prompt discussions. Themes were identified from the comments. Each person made a personal pledge as to how they were going to address a particular theme. Examples of a personal pledge include themes of empathy and compassion “Being mindful of individual perspectives and personal choices" Using inclusive and compassionate language” and person-centred care "Customising and individualising information for women and parents and centring the women’s voice in service development"Quality improvement projects were also developed from the pledges including “A Quiet Time at Night” where mobile phones are switched off for a few hours with environmental noise and lighting at a minimal level to actively allow women sleep. There was also a quiet room for women to utilise when in early labour for privacy with their husbands, allowing them to mobilise and utilise pain relief strategies as they wished. In addition, the women who attended this event have said they would like to be involved in further quality improvements.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
N/A

KEY MESSAGE:
There is a commitment within the maternity unit for future engagement with women, and a desire for continued improvement and inclusion of diverse perspectives in our maternity services Poster session 4 (Group B)