Laptop computers have been given to midwives and specialist nurses at Barnsley Hospital to help improve the quality of care and to increase the amount of time spent with patients.

Up to 38 community midwives, specialist nurses and senior midwives have been dubbed 'mobile midwives' after being given the notebook laptops.

They will enable them to access test results and update pregnant patients at home instantly, instead of causing delays by having to contact other departments.

It has been estimated that approximately 2,600 hours a year will be saved by the midwifery department.

Kerry Turner, a community midwife said it had made her job a lot easier and enabled her to focus on patients and their needs rather than chasing results over the phone.

Louise Richards, 27, gave birth to Frankie 12 weeks ago.

She said the care she received was brilliant and she was able to receive her test results instantly without having to go to the doctor.

Matron Sandra Newman said: “I came up with the idea whilst working as a community midwife, experiencing the frustration of time taken with phone calls and travelling.

Instant access to laboratory results and information reduces time wasted with phone calls and travelling for midwives, improving quality of care for patients by increasing contact time and providing results of tests instantly.”