BACKGROUND:
Based on evidence of the positive outcomes for mothers and infants, the Scottish government recommends implementation of continuity of midwifery carer. The Iris continuity of midwifery care team was launched in NHS Tayside in January2024 to provide care for women in Dundee city.

OBJECTIVES:
1. to explore the acceptability, adoption, feasibility, fidelity and sustainability of the Iris team; 2. to identify barriers and facilitators during implementation of the Iris team; 3. to investigate the impact of the Iris team on equity and quality of care

METHODS:
The mixed methods implementation study comprised qualitative interviews with pregnant women who have received care from the Iris team, Iris team midwives, other relevant stakeholders including midwives not working in the Iris team, medical staff, maternity support workers and maternity care managers; quantitative analysis of routinely collected data, and a survey of 150 mothers who have received care from the Iris team using the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care Index. Qualitative data were analysed using the framework approach and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics

RESULTS:
Preliminary results suggest that transitioning to a sustainable model of continuity of midwifery care throughout the childbirth continuum requires a significant shift in how midwives are deployed and supported. Initial implementation requires additional resource. While continuity of care is acceptable to women, there are many barriers to achieving this including increased workload for midwives and demands of the wider maternity service.

CONCLUSIONS:
Midwifery continuity of care models are appreciated by women, but need to address significant resource barriers to protect midwives’ physical and mental health

KEY MESSAGE:
Implementation of midwifery continuity of care models requires workforce planning and additional resource. Continuity of care - implementation 2