New maternity app assists at the touch of a button

New maternity app assists at the touch of a button

An innovative smartphone app developed by clinicians at Musgrove Park Hospital is providing pregnancy information at the touch of a button for expectant mums and their families.

The HANDi maternity app, which launched this month, features general pregnancy information, a confidential appointments calendar, maternity leaflets, useful contact numbers and a range of helpful videos, including a tour of Musgrove’s maternity unit.

It was developed in response to feedback from mums-to-be who told midwives that they wanted the right information, at the right time, at their fingertips. They also said they were less likely to read paper leaflets because they didn’t always carry them when out and about.

The hospital’s maternity matron, Katy Evans, worked closely a consultant obstetrician, as well as new mums, to develop the app. It was produced by software technology company Technical Health.

It is one of a series of apps developed at Musgrove with the HANDi paediatric app launching back in 2015, and more recently the paediatric observation priority scoring (POPS) app for emergency department clinicians treating unwell children.

Katy said: “We are really pleased to have created this easy-to- use app, which will have great benefits for pregnant women and those close to them.

“HANDi maternity contains a wealth of information, put together by clinicians in consultation with patients, for people to access at the touch of a button.

“The video tour will be particularly helpful as mums-to be can get a virtual tour of our maternity unit at the click of a button. The tour gives a really good idea of what women can expect from their prospective birthing environment.

“We are constantly developing the app and would love to hear what pregnant women, mums and their families think about it. Just drop us an email on HANDimaternity@tst.nhs.uk or send us a message on Facebook (search for Musgrove Park Hospital).”

Further information will be added to the app over the coming months, including information on the early weeks of pregnancy.

HANDi maternity is available from the App Store (Apple iPhone) and Google Play (Android) now.

New maternity app assists at the touch of a button
(left to right) Dr George Brighton (director – Technical Health), Kelly James and her baby Kobe, Katy Evans (maternity matron at Musgrove), Hayley Peters (executive director of patient care at Musgrove), Alice Dolan and her daughter Niamh, Sally Bryant (specialist midwife at Musgrove).
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