Simple ideas can make a big impact on patient experience.
That’s what Ideas Tank – the Women’s version of Shark Tank – is all about.
Staff are invited to pitch ideas that will improve patients’ experience at the hospital.
The winning ideas are then brought to life thanks to funding from sponsors.
Specialist midwives Pepe Robertson and Laura Seymour had the idea to provide TENS machines to people giving birth through the Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS).
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS machine is a small portable machine that people in labour can use to help relieve lower back and contraction pain.
“TENS work best when used in early labour at home. This requires women and birthing people to have the financial and organisational means to acquire a TENS prior to labour. For many people coming through WADS, this is not within their means,” Laura says.
“This simple, relatively affordable method of pain relief in labour could make a big difference – helping women receiving WADS care to experience an empowering labour and birth. This can be profoundly healing.”
Some other initiatives that will receive funding this year include:
- Meal vouchers for families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
- Refreshments for non-fasting patients in waiting areas.
- A pilot program to support the transition to parenthood for mothers with a disability.
- Petrol vouchers for vulnerable patients accessing the Abortion & Contraception Service.
Sleep pods make life easier for mothers and newborns
Mothers and newborns in the Women’s postnatal wards are seeing the benefits of Ideas Tank 2023.
They now have access to safe sleep devices called pepi pods.
These simple plastic tubs can be life-saving.
They are designed to keep babies close to parents in bed to help promote bonding, breastfeeding and safety.
The idea was successfully pitched by midwives, who saw the benefit of making them accessible to all families in the postnatal wards.
“It’s such a great tool because it keeps mum and baby safely together in bed,” explains Tracey van Stigt, an Associate Unit Manager at the Women’s.
“It optimises mum’s rest – something that’s very important, especially in the early days in their postnatal period.”
Ideas Tank is made possible with the support of our sponsors Hesta and Smartsalary.