Innovations improving maternal care in North Wales
Breakthroughs and innovations are improving maternal care and healthcare across north Wales.
A new Innovation Strategy for Wales is supporting breakthroughs including a new placental growth factor test (PLFG) for women, at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which can rule out pre-eclampsia. The test is is helping to improve diagnosis, prevent maternal complications, reduce still births and prevent pre-term deliveries.
Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening condition, which, if left untreated, can cause serious complications for both mother and baby. The basic blood and urine tests that are currently used for assessing the severity of pre-eclampsia lack the sensitivity required to predict the outcome of the patient, so a significant number of pregnant people are admitted to hospital for further observations.
Dr Lynda Verghese, and Dr Yee Ping Teoh introduced a new in-person placental growth factor (PLGF) test to supplement decision making during Covid. The test measures PLGF levels in 15 minutes and enables doctors to quickly group pregnant women by risk and identify those likely to progress to delivery in 14 days.
The Innovation Strategy for Wales was launched on Monday and highlights the Welsh Government’s aim to create the optimal conditions for innovation. Innovation workshops are being held to establish closer working relationships between NHS Wales, universities and the private sector.
There are other innovative projects that have been introduced by the NHS in Wales, such as: liquid biopsy testing to enhance the diagnosis of lung cancer; using artificial intelligence technology (AI) to review digital prostate cancer slides, prioritising them in order of severity to aid pathologists; and protype wound closure devices, which protect wounds and aid recovery. There is also Get Fit Wales, a digital tool that supports school children to become more active, help those with long-term health conditions and support those on waiting lists to manage their condition more effectively.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said: "This is a hugely exciting time for innovation; this week Welsh Government launched the new Innovation Strategy for Wales which sets out how we will harness innovation to meet Welsh aims and tackle system challenges.
"Over the last decade we have seen a significant development of the health and care innovation here in Wales, with new and exciting examples of clinical practice and technology coming from NHS Wales, our Welsh Universities and the private sector. Through our new Innovation Strategy, I look forward to seeing more and more initiatives such as PLGF testing, the use of Artificial Intelligence and technologies such as liquid biopsy testing being rolled out across our hugely committed health and care sector in Wales."
