My colleague, Dr Louise Tomlinson, myself and others have been developing a program that we hope to launch at the next PSRH meeting in July 2019. This is in response to a need identified by Pacific midwives particularly from remote areas where referral can be difficult if perineal trauma is severe. We want to extend the scope of the perineal suturing workshops that we usually run at the PSRH meetings and across the Pacific at other opportunities. As well as improving knowledge and practical skills, we wish to provide some tools to help the participant going forward. We have developed a laminated flip chart with step by step information about how to identify and repair perineal trauma that can be practically useful on a day to day basis. We hope to provide a set of instruments and appropriate sutures to use. We are working on how best to evaluate this program as it unfolds and have engaged some partners to support us financially.
We also want to identify “champions” in each country who are interested in perineal suturing and can act as mentors and troubleshoot for the participants in their countries. We also want them to help us collect data on how the program is going and how they can become trainers in the future.
If you are interested please contact meat Jackiesmalldridge@gmail.com