Education programs are prominent and provided through lectures, pamphlets, brochures and one to one teaching. Also recognized is the concerted effort to ensure that community health centres offer services that meet local needs, such as youth drop in clinics, parenting classes, et cetera. It is suggested that the maternity program has an opportunity to develop a new focus by reviewing its current range of traditional services. The orientation process includes links to community health centres and the maternity units for labour and delivery. Clients are involved in planning their care and can tour the unit prior to their delivery date.
Health centres use a needs assessment guide to complete client related information.
The client chart from the physicians office is transferred to the maternity unit prior to client admission. Client involvement is extensive and includes discussion of protocols and choice, for example, labour analgesia. In the case of sick neonates there is good communication with the B.C. Children s Hospital. Mothers, however, who remain at Lions Gate Hospital should be offered the opportunity to visit their baby to reduce anxiety and allow for bonding. Good processes are in place for maintaining client records in both the institution and community setting.