Independent evaluation of the implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer in England

The Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research at the School of Health and Psychological Science, City, University of London welcome Ellinor Olander and Christine McCourt to discuss their findings regarding factors enabling and preventing the implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCoC) as well as factors influencing its sustainability, as part of the research seminar series.

Abstract

There is gold-standard evidence that Midwifery Continuity of Carer has significant clinical benefits, improves women’s experiences of care and is professionally satisfying for midwives. Despite national policy drivers since 2016, implementation has been variable nationally and often limited.

NHS England funded researchers from City, University of London’s Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research in October 2022 to conduct a rapid independent evaluation of the implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer in England.

The evaluation took place in January to March 2023 and used a mixed methods approach including a national online survey of service and implementation leads (n=88) with follow-up interviews (n=17) and case studies in three Trusts (observation of meetings (n=11), formal and informal interviews (n=51), examination of documents and shadowing MCoC teams) with different levels of implementation to identify the barriers and enablers to implementing MCoC with the aim of informing future implementation plans.

In April 2023, a stakeholder event involving representatives of maternity services at different levels and regions, user organisations and members of the NHSE MCoC evaluation advisory group (total n=21) along with evaluation team members was held to discuss the emerging findings and contribute to final analysis.

In this seminar, we will present findings regarding factors enabling and preventing the implementation of MCoC as well as factors influencing its sustainability.

Visit the Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCoC) blog to learn more and read the final report.

About the Speakers

Dr Ellinor Olander is a Senior Lecturer in Maternal and Child Health Research and leads the Public Health and Health Inequalities research group within the Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research.

She uses theories and frameworks from health psychology and implementation science to better understand midwifery and health visiting models of care and how healthcare professionals can be supported to in turn provide support pregnant and postnatal women and their families.

Ellinor leads the COPE project which focuses on healthcare professional collaboration, especially between midwives and health visitors.

Professor Christine McCourt – Professor of Maternal and Child Health, School of Health & Psychological Sciences, Department of Midwifery and Radiography