SECAmb partnership strengthens maternity emergency response

The South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has partnered with regional midwives to strengthen emergency, out-of-hospital maternity care across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has partnered with regional midwives to strengthen emergency, out-of-hospital maternity care across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. This collaborative effort targets time-critical pre-hospital incidents to improve safety and health outcomes for women and newborns. 

Key Elements of the Partnership

• Joint Training Initiatives: Ambulance clinicians and community midwives engage in regular, hands-on joint workshops—such as those at the Polegate Make Ready Centre—sharing clinical expertise on high-risk scenarios, resuscitation, and birth positioning.
• The "Red Maternity Phone": The regional rollout of this dedicated system was completed to link paramedics directly with hospital labour wards, alerting maternity units instantly so they can prepare before the patient arrives.
• Enhanced Maternity Kits: Frontline ambulance crews are equipped with specialized kits to manage complex, unexpected emergency deliveries in the community.
• Addressing Health Inequalities: The joint response specifically aims to reduce clinical risks for vulnerable groups who face unplanned pre-hospital births.