Across Teesside, the North Tees, and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, 'Good Things Foundation', and 'the National Databank' are working together to combat 'digital deprivation' among maternity patients. The initiative offers free mobile data to patients who fall into the category of 'digital deprivation' and can not access the new online care records. Laura Stephenson, digital midwife for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: "All of our maternity records across Tees are now stored on a secure online system called BadgerNet.
"This is so much easier for patients to access their notes but only if they have internet access." As part of the scheme, the most vulnerable patients will be given a free SIM card that is 'preloaded with data', allowing them to 'log into their BadgerNet notes throughout their pregnancy journey'. Grace Murray, digital midwife at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The NHS Long Term Plan recommends that all woman should have access to their maternity records, by providing free data we are ensuring that this recommendation is achievable.
"We’ve worked closely with a non-for-profit organisation in Middlesbrough called FurbdIT meaning we are also able to offer a refurbished phone if needed. Read more: "With the SIM cards being provided by the Good Things Foundation and the phones from FurbdIT, we can offer this new service to some very vulnerable women at no additional cost to the NHS." Ms Murray accepted a Baby Lifeline UK MUM.