UL Hospitals Group Hosts Its Fifth CTG Masterclass to Reduce Neonatal Brain Injury

CTG Masterclass to Reduce Neonatal Brain Injury – Dr Suzana Pereira, Kingston Hospital, London; Dr Gerry Burke, UMHL; Dr Edwin Chandraharan, St George’s Hospital , London; and Dr Naro Imcha, UMHL, at the CTG Masterclass in the CERC building, UHL

UL Hospitals Group Hosts Its Fifth CTG Masterclass to Reduce Neonatal Brain Injury

Staffs from maternity units all over Ireland have gathered in Limerick for a training and education event aimed at reducing neonatal brain injury.

The two-day CTG Masterclass was hosted by UL Hospitals Group at the CERC Building, UHL, and attracted dozens of midwives, midwife managers, consultants and NCHDs from the four corners of Ireland, north and south. This is the fifth such master class hosted by the Maternal and Child Health Directorate, UL Hospitals Group, and the event is run free-of-charge for these professionals to help improve perinatal outcomes.

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This latest masterclass was led by Dr Edwin Chandraharan, Lead Consultant in Labour Ward and Lead for Clinical Governance at St. George’s University Hospital, London, and by Dr Susana Pereira, Consultant in Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust.

Dr Nyan Chin Liew, UMHL, with midwives Bernadette Toolan, Joanne Desmond and Ann Marie Power, UMHL

CTG (cardiotocography) allows obstetric and midwifery staff record fetal heartbeat and contractions during labour and the technique is essential in detecting early signs of fetal distress, including hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the brain. Brain injury during labour is among the most devastating outcomes in medicine and through its series of master classes, UL Hospitals Group, is demonstrating its commitment to reducing it.

“A primary action for meeting this priority is through multidisciplinary training and education events such as our CTG masterclass,” explained Margaret Quigley, Director of Midwifery, and UL Hospitals Group.  “It is so important that midwives and doctors who are working together are training together.  The aim of our CTG masterclass is to promote understanding of fetal physiology to ensure the best possible outcomes”.

Dr Gerry Burke, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Clinical Director, Maternal and Child Health Directorate, UL Hospitals Group, said: “University Maternity Hospital Limerick has made the eradication of neonatal brain injury its first priority.  This condition is also a major priority for the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme.” 

“A key component of the UMHL strategy is the CTG Master Class that the hospital runs twice a year in collaboration with Prof Edwin Chandraharan and Dr Susana Pereira.  Prof Chandraharan has run the two-day course in some 30 countries and he says that UMHL is the only hospital where it is provided to the participants free of charge as a public service.  The large turnout of midwives and obstetricians from all over Ireland, including Belfast, over a full Saturday and Sunday, is a testament to their professionalism and to the value they place on the course.  The UL Hospitals Group is committed to making a national contribution to reducing neonatal brain injury in our maternity hospitals. The next Masterclass will be held over the weekend of August 10^th and 11^th 2019 at the fabulous CERC Building on the main UHL campus,” Dr Burke added.

Speaking on the importance of the masterclasses, Dr Naro Imcha, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Chairperson, Quality Improvement Committee, UL Hospitals Group, said: “The birth of a child is the spark that lights a lifetime of experiences. The advantages that children receive at the time of birth form the basis for much of their future. We, the professionals who care for the pregnant mother and unborn child, are striving every day to promote good health during this prime, but vulnerable, period of life. The CTG Masterclass is an invaluable step in that direction with which we anticipate improved patient experience and delivery outcomes across Ireland. The energy and enthusiasm of the participants are palpable, and they are very eager to put this knowledge into practice. The quality of our care is constantly progressing with the steps each of us takes every day to improve individually and as a team.”

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