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Evaluates a model of peer review for midwives in Great Britain. Application of peer review in midwifery; Role of supervisors of midwives in a peer review; Principle anticipated benefits of peer review; Positive nature of responses.

The use of automated devices for blood spot sampling will ensure safety and benefits for babies and midwives (UKNSPC, 2005). The devices available differ in the technique of incision. The majority, which are less expensive utilise a guillotine incision and the other less common devices utilise an arched shaped incision. The results of a randomised controlled trial comparing two devices with the different techniques of incision suggest that devices with an arched shaped incision provide better quality blood samples, require fewer heel pricks to obtain a quality sample and the devices are cost neutral when all aspects of the blood spot sample are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the introduction of the Guthrie test in the 1970s, millions of babies have been screened for inborn errors of metabolism. Technological advances in the automated devices used to puncture the heel ensures that they are "safe" in so far as the depth of incision is controlled, eliminating damage to the calcanaus bone. However, the choice of automated or manual device used by midwives is arbitrary and not supported by research findings. The procedure used by midwives today is similar to that issued when the Guthrie test was first introduced despite research findings which contradict parts of the procedure. There is also evidence that the number of insufficient samples have been on the increase since 1998. This, coupled with the need for more blood since the introduction of cystic fibrosis screening in Scotland, points to the need for evidenced-based practice being applied to the newborn bloodspot screening test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]