What makes an excellent labour ward co-ordinator? Insights from the multidisciplinary team

Background: It has been recognised that poor multidisciplinary team working on labour ward may lead to adverse consequences for women and babies. The central role in the multidisciplinary team is the labour ward coordinator, however little research has been undertaken exploring the skills and attributes necessary to this role.

Aim: The study’s aims were to explore the necessary skills and attributes of the labour ward coordinator and their impact on multidisciplinary team working.

Design and methods: Constructive grounded theory was used to explore the perceptions of 21 labour ward multidisciplinary team members recruited using theoretical sampling from a maternity unit in northern England.

Findings: 3 themes identified that labour ward coordinators play significant roles in labour ward organisation, team situational awareness and a well-functioning multidisciplinary team. Firstly situational awareness through a ‘helicopter view’ of the labour ward; secondly supporting decision making and thirdly approachability. Excellent labour ward coordinators used situational awareness to pre-empt emergencies and forward plan.

Conclusion: The labour ward coordinator role requires a different skill set to those utilised by midwives delivering one to one care in labour. To facilitate the development of midwives into the coordinator role attention to continuing professional development is essential. In addition the recruitment of consultant midwives dedicated to supporting midwives delivering care to women in labour should be considered.