Fundamentals of Midwifery: A Textbook for Students (18 page)

Co operation 35Shared goalCreative Client focused Stimulating

(b)Constructive Co operative Collaborative PositiveCompassionateCompetent Hard worker Flexible CommittedClient focused MotivatedCaring Accountable Challenging
Figure 2.4
(a) Key principles of good team working and (b) key characteristics of a good team player.
Key points

Women must be at the heart of everything that the NHS does in midwifery.

Midwives must work in partnership with women and their families.

The woman is key to all care decisions.

Effective team working is crucial for good quality and safe care.

Bullying must not be tolerated.

It is everyone’s responsibility to build an effective team and working environment.

Communication is the foundation on which all care is built.

Anyone who works in the NHS must raise any concerns they may have about inappropriate or poor care.
Conclusion
This chapter has examined the terms: team, manager and leader in the context of the NHS andparticularly the maternity services. The importance of effective team working has been empha- sised and how everyone has a responsibility to be a team player and facilitate collaborative working. Specific crucial points where team working is particularly important have been identi- fied, for example around handovers, review of care and emergency situations. Tools which may assist in this process, have been examined. The benefits that students, midwives and other health professionals feel when enjoying working within a team and feeling valued, have beenexamined (Yoshida & Sandall 2013). One of the main priorities within this chapter has been to highlight the importance of the woman as a pivotal member of the team; for her to be at the‌
36 centre of decision-making and how this can be facilitated and improved. This is the key to good team working in the context of high quality maternity care, which is well received by thewoman, her partner and family. Much of the recent evidence around problems with care, have identified the lack of focus on the needs of the patient. A belief that the woman is the starting point for all care and that her needs must always be uppermost in everyone’s minds is funda- mental to this chapter. In order to be a good team player, it has been established that it is important for the individual to understand their own role and responsibilities and how this fits with the roles and responsibilities of other team members. Strategies have been identified to assist in developing team working skills both for the student and the qualified midwife.
End of chapter activities
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