People using Leicester maternity services to benefit from innovative empathy training
Professor Jeremy Howick delivering empathy training at a course earlier this year
University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust is collaborating with the Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare to build on its culture of empathy within maternity services through training and leadership workshops.
About 10,000 babies are born every year at UHL’s Leicester Maternity Services, and at the heart of their care – as well as the families – is an empathetic relationship. All staff working within maternity services, including support staff as well as all its healthcare professionals, have been given the opportunity to participate.
The collaboration has been delivered through the internationally recognised Stoneygate Centre for Empathic Healthcare, based at the University of Leicester.
Stoneygate Centre Director Professor Jeremy Howick said: “More than a dozen trials have shown that improving empathy improves people’s experiences of maternity healthcare by making them safer and happier with the services. We also know that empathy training can help staff to feel part of a great team and boost their wellbeing.
“It’s fantastic that UHL values a culture of empathy for all staff who come into contact with families using their maternity services.”
The workshops and training have been led by award-winning empathic experts with over 35 years’ experience, a registered midwife and a professional nurse advocate. It is the result of 20 years of evidence-based theory and will feature interactive group work and action planning.
Director of Midwifery and Deputy Chief Nurse Danielle Burnett, of the University Hospitals of Leicester, said: “The experiences of people using maternity services can be intense and unpredictable impacting everyday life and our maternity team plays an important role in providing physical, emotional and psychological care to families.
“The way in which our staff communicate with each other and the families accessing our service is fundamental to ensuring true partnership, and ultimately the delivery of high quality and safe care.
“We’re impressed by the fact the Stoneygate Centre is pioneering a robust new approach to medical education and training that positions empathy at the heart of healthcare.
“The opportunity for our staff to participate in this programme is supporting us to improve our services and further our commitment to make meaningful connections with families through recognising and responding to individual needs and wishes.”