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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Key lessons learnt about implementation and sustainability of a community-based model of continuity of midwifery care
1
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust/King's College London, Women and Children's Health, London, United Kingdom
2
King's College London, Department of Women and Children's Health, London, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A925
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Continuity of care for pregnant women from ethnic minority backgrounds and the most deprived communities is a national priority in England to reduce stark maternal and newborn health inequalities. Evidence on successful implementation is limited. A community-based continuity of midwifery care model was implemented in one London Borough as part of one of five local partnerships which made up A Better Start – a national 10-year (2015-2025) £215 million programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
OBJECTIVES:
We explored the strategies used for mainstreaming and sustainability of a community-based model of continuity of midwifery care, improve child health services and outcomes, in an inner-city area of ethnic diversity and social deprivation in England.
METHODS:
We undertook a qualitative study with 23 healthcare providers and organisational stakeholders in local authorities, public health, education, and mental health delivering services or supporting the caseload model of care. We used semi-structured interviews to explore implementation strategies and potential for scale up in similar contexts. Template analysis, informed by an approach to scaling up public health interventions, was used to analyse interview data.
RESULTS:
Three themes were included in the final template for analysis. 1. Scalability assessment, planning and preparation - strong local partnerships facilitated establishment of the community-based continuity of midwifery care service and integration with new and existing services. 2. Scale up the intervention - the model facilitated access to tailored support for women and families 3. Sustainability - changes to the local and national context, staff and wider stakeholders were challenging.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community-based continuity of care models provide individualised care focussed on reducing health inequalities. Sustaining partnerships and communication with other care providers and key stakeholders in organisations outside the health service is essential.
KEY MESSAGE:
Strong local partnerships, with a focus on sustaining communication and relationships are essential to ensure mainstreaming of community-based midwifery continuity models. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Continuity of care for pregnant women from ethnic minority backgrounds and the most deprived communities is a national priority in England to reduce stark maternal and newborn health inequalities. Evidence on successful implementation is limited. A community-based continuity of midwifery care model was implemented in one London Borough as part of one of five local partnerships which made up A Better Start – a national 10-year (2015-2025) £215 million programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
OBJECTIVES:
We explored the strategies used for mainstreaming and sustainability of a community-based model of continuity of midwifery care, improve child health services and outcomes, in an inner-city area of ethnic diversity and social deprivation in England.
METHODS:
We undertook a qualitative study with 23 healthcare providers and organisational stakeholders in local authorities, public health, education, and mental health delivering services or supporting the caseload model of care. We used semi-structured interviews to explore implementation strategies and potential for scale up in similar contexts. Template analysis, informed by an approach to scaling up public health interventions, was used to analyse interview data.
RESULTS:
Three themes were included in the final template for analysis. 1. Scalability assessment, planning and preparation - strong local partnerships facilitated establishment of the community-based continuity of midwifery care service and integration with new and existing services. 2. Scale up the intervention - the model facilitated access to tailored support for women and families 3. Sustainability - changes to the local and national context, staff and wider stakeholders were challenging.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community-based continuity of care models provide individualised care focussed on reducing health inequalities. Sustaining partnerships and communication with other care providers and key stakeholders in organisations outside the health service is essential.
KEY MESSAGE:
Strong local partnerships, with a focus on sustaining communication and relationships are essential to ensure mainstreaming of community-based midwifery continuity models. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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