Ms. Melissa Gardiner1
1 St John WA, Belmont, Australia
Biography:
St John WA dual registered Paramedic and Midwife Melissa Gardiner trailblazed the State Obstetric Referral Call (STORC) to deliver woman-centred maternity care in the pre-hospital setting. The mother-of-three spent 22 years on road across WA, which uniquely positioned her to strongly advocate for midwifery support to frontline colleagues through STORC.
Abstract:
Background: St John WA’s State Obstetrics Referral Call (STORC) is revolutionising emergency patient care in the field of Obstetrics. While obstetric patients represent less than 1% of all ambulance cases, babies and mothers’ lives are at stake given the increased risks associated with un-planned out-of-hospital (UOOH) births which can induce feelings of apprehension for even the most experienced paramedics. For every baby’s life saved there are multiple lives touched, which includes ambulance crews and call-takers.
Actions: STORC provides a 24-hour helpline service 7 days a week, staffed by 6 experienced midwives with extensive knowledge of SJWA ambulance’s Clinical Practice Guidelines. STORC provides real time infield expertise, support, and guidance to frontline crews. By employing midwives, SJWA provides woman-centred care and enables and empowers ambulance officers regardless of experience to manage complex and challenging obstetric cases.
Results: Since launching on Mother’s Day 2023, STORC has responded to more than 80 calls and assisted in 22 births, with countless case studies of positive outcomes for women, their babies, and crews. The Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) recognised STORC for improving outcomes for regional women after a particularly complex case in November. The initiative has saved lives in several UOOH births, including twins in January, which gained national media attention.
Conclusion: STORC’s unmitigated success with frontline clinicians, midwives, and hospital staff has yet to be replicated anywhere else in Australia and is leading the way in emergency patient care at a time when UOOH and free births are on the rise, globally.