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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The capacity mystery: How can education and practice placement providers collaborate to maximise and expand learning environment capacity for student midwives whilst maintaining quality assurance
1
The University of Manchester, School of Health Sciences - Midwifery, Manchester, United Kingdom
2
Manchester foundation Trust, Maternity, Manchester, United Kingdom
3
The University of Salford, Midwifery, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A122
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The UK NHS Long Term Plan (NHS, 2023) committed to increasing the number of student midwives educated in the UK to address future workforce shortages. A key factor in achieving this is the expansion of clinical placements for learners given 50% of the programme is practice-based. However, effective evaluation of placement capacity requires a clear definition of “capacity,” a term often used ambiguously. This project adopts Borwell and Leigh’s (2021) framework, which defines capacity through three interconnected elements: function, size, and ability.
DISCUSSION:
To support this, a capacity audit tool was developed and implemented across eight maternity sites and three Universities in one geographical urban area in England. The audit informed a regional capacity model, and a rostering approach designed to safely increase learner numbers. Improvements in rostering were aligned to the model to ensure student numbers do not exceed agreed thresholds in each clinical area and helps to prevent overlap in placement blocks. Collaborative planning across 3 universities has also promoted more equitable placement distribution. Other innovations are being piloted, for example, a 12-month regional rostering pilot is underway to enable leaners to know their placement duties in advance.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The audit also identified numerous spoke learning environments within maternity sites and the private, independent, and voluntary sector. These were mapped to specific learning pathways and presented as searchable directories, enabling students, practice teams, and academics to address learning needs with tailored opportunities. One example is a proposed public health pathway, combining NHS and charity placements with homeless women to develop skills caring for this group as well as improving capacity for learners.
KEY MESSAGE:
This work has clarified local placement capacity and supported innovation in placement design. These developments align with the NMC (2023) Midwifery Standards, supporting flexible, future-ready education and practice. Education - issues
The UK NHS Long Term Plan (NHS, 2023) committed to increasing the number of student midwives educated in the UK to address future workforce shortages. A key factor in achieving this is the expansion of clinical placements for learners given 50% of the programme is practice-based. However, effective evaluation of placement capacity requires a clear definition of “capacity,” a term often used ambiguously. This project adopts Borwell and Leigh’s (2021) framework, which defines capacity through three interconnected elements: function, size, and ability.
DISCUSSION:
To support this, a capacity audit tool was developed and implemented across eight maternity sites and three Universities in one geographical urban area in England. The audit informed a regional capacity model, and a rostering approach designed to safely increase learner numbers. Improvements in rostering were aligned to the model to ensure student numbers do not exceed agreed thresholds in each clinical area and helps to prevent overlap in placement blocks. Collaborative planning across 3 universities has also promoted more equitable placement distribution. Other innovations are being piloted, for example, a 12-month regional rostering pilot is underway to enable leaners to know their placement duties in advance.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The audit also identified numerous spoke learning environments within maternity sites and the private, independent, and voluntary sector. These were mapped to specific learning pathways and presented as searchable directories, enabling students, practice teams, and academics to address learning needs with tailored opportunities. One example is a proposed public health pathway, combining NHS and charity placements with homeless women to develop skills caring for this group as well as improving capacity for learners.
KEY MESSAGE:
This work has clarified local placement capacity and supported innovation in placement design. These developments align with the NMC (2023) Midwifery Standards, supporting flexible, future-ready education and practice. Education - issues
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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