Clinical Practice Radio - Episode 4 - STORC

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses birth experiences, including potentially distressing or sensitive content. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, the team is joined by the incredible Mel Gardiner, a highly experienced paramedic with over 20 years on the road and a passion for improving maternal care in the pre-hospital space. Mel talks through the nuances of maternal assessment, highlighting the unique challenges paramedics face when providing care to mothers and babies outside of hospital. 

The team dive into STORC (State Obstetrics Referral Call) — an innovative program Mel has helped develop. STORC connects paramedics with registered midwives trained specifically in pre-hospital care, offering immediate expert support, guidance, and even life-saving interventions over the phone. With WA’s vast and often remote geography, this program has been a game-changer for families and clinicians alike, bridging gaps between the community, paramedics, and maternity wards. 

Whether you’re a paramedic, student, or simply curious about how critical maternal care is delivered in the field, this episode provides practical insights, valuable learning, and an inspiring look at how collaboration can transform patient outcomes.

References

• Findlay, H. J., Anderson, J. K., Francis, K. L., Clegg, L. M., & Maria, S. J. (2023). The significance of paramedic communication during women’s birth experiences: A scoping review. Women and Birth, 36(5), e491–e501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.02.003
• Hill, M., Miles, A., Flanagan, B., Mills, B., & Hopper, L. (2022). Out-of-hospital births and the experiences of emergency ambulance clinicians and birthing parents: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 12(5), e062313. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062313
• Keedle, H., Keedle, W., & Dahlen, H. G. (2022). Dehumanized, violated, and powerless: An Australian survey of women's experiences of obstetric violence in the past 5 years. Violence Against Women, 30(9), 2162–2184. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012221140138