|
Counselling Services The Counselling Service based at Poole Maternity Unit was first put in place in 1992. At this time the idea to have emotional and psychological support available around the issues that can arise during pregnancy and delivery was very innovative and ahead of the field. The service started on a voluntary basis of one afternoon a week. Due to the unfortunate high need for this service, funding for one day a week was soon obtained and in 1997 another day was funded. Even with two days the demand of people's needs could not be met, so the service started using voluntary counsellors. Volunteers are contracted under hospital policy and the service is run under the strict guidelines of the British Counselling and Psychotherapy codes of safe practice. At the moment the Counselling Service has 6 volunteers who have all completed their training and also support S.P.R.I.N.G. by helping to facilitate the open support meetings. S.P.R.I.N.G. shows its appreciation for this by helping to put in place relevant training etc. Nationally there is agreement that bereavement support should be available readily around baby death. S.P.R.I.N.G. as a group is endeavouring to put bereavement support in place in the unit for more than just 2 days. The Counselling Service has arisen from recognition of a need. S.P.R.I.N.G. has developed from this same recognition of a need. Full time bereavement support has been recognised as a need that requires attention and we hope to rise to meet this new challenge.
The Early Pregnancy Clinic The Early Pregnancy Clinic is run from the Day Case Unit at Poole Hospital. The Early Pregnancy Clinic are members of the Association of Early Pregnancy Units, which has a national membership, and endeavours to improve the standard of care given in early pregnancy loss. The Clinic is for women referred by G.P. or Midwife who have bleeding and abdominal pain between 6 – 14 weeks gestation. Reassurance scans can be arranged by Shonagh Gibb, Early Pregnancy Nurse Counsellor, for women with a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The intention of this clinic is to fast track care of women threatening to miscarry, give reassurance with viable pregnancy, quality care and support to those miscarrying, and early detection and management of ectopic pregnancy. There is a doctor, registered nurse and counsellor in attendance at this clinic. You can reach Shonagh Gibb, Early Pregnancy Nurse Counsellor at Poole Hospital in the Early Pregnancy Unit on telephone number 01202 448432. Longfleet Road, Monday – Friday 8.30am – 12 with dedicated scanning and an emergency service on Saturday mornings and bank holidays from the Kingston Lacy Ward.
|
