PURPOSE:
Safe, personalised care for women and birthing people is a central aim of recent maternity reports in England (NHS England, 2016; 2023). Achieving this requires effective multidisciplinary collaboration, as highlighted in several reviews of maternity services reporting on women’ birthing peoples experiences and maternity outcomes (Ockenden Report 2022; Felker et al 2024). In response, one local health region introduced an innovative interprofessional education model to enhance collaboration between midwifery and physiotherapy learners in Perinatal Pelvic Health clinics.

DISCUSSION:
The pilot project aimed to embed pelvic health education into antenatal care pathways and prepare learners for integrated, preventative practice. Midwifery students undertook a one-week spoke placement within physiotherapy-led leadership placements, engaging in pelvic health clinics, contributing to antenatal education initiatives, and participating in a national podcast. Findings demonstrated that interprofessional placements improved learners’ understanding of system-based maternity care, enhanced access to underrepresented placement experiences, and supported the achievement of NMC (2019) proficiencies. Students developed confidence in addressing pelvic health concerns, explored digital health tools, and gained leadership experience through quality improvement projects. The pilot also addressed cultural considerations in pelvic health, including the needs of trans and minoritised ethnic communities.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The service evaluation highlighted positive learner experiences, improved knowledge of referral pathways, and strengthened interprofessional communication. This model supports the co-creation of preventative, person-centred services and aligns with public health goals to improve lifelong maternal well-being.

KEY MESSAGE:
Crucially, learning together enables midwifery and physiotherapy students to understand each other’s roles, build mutual respect, and develop the collaborative skills essential for delivering holistic, equitable care. Embedding interprofessional education in maternity education fosters a future workforce that is better equipped to meet the complex pelvic health needs of women and birthing people across the care continuum. Poster session 3 (Group B)