A case study of a Maternity Service Development Programme
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A case study of a Maternity Service Development Programme, and its influence on maternity services and inter-agency collaboration
IRAS ID
170005
Contact name
Naomi Simpson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
In 2011 a Maternity Services Development Programme (MSDP) was implemented in one South of England city. The programme aimed to promote effective collaborative working between maternity services (midwives) and other service providers (health visitors, social workers, Children Centre staff, specialist and volunteer services) to improve outcomes for service users (women and families). The MSDP utilised local Children’s Centres, which provide community focused family support, to co-locate maternity services and other service providers. The rationale to improve collaborative working is supported by evidence suggesting poor collaborative working contributes to poorer outcomes (Laming Report 2003; Marmot Review 2010). Therefore programmes such as the MSDP could potentially improve short and long-term outcomes for those accessing maternity services.
The proposed research uses a case study approach to collect and analyse predominantly qualitative data, and some quantitative data. This method will allow for analysis of the MSDP and understanding of its influence on maternity services and collaboration, and will aim to illuminate perceived strengths and challenges of the MSDP evident to services providers. Data will be collected using observation episodes (e.g. participant meetings) to observe collaboration, and interviews to explore experiences. Additionally documents will be analysed to observe documented evidence of collaborative practice. Pre-existing statistical data will also be used to highlight changes in indicators of service user well-being since the implementation of the MSDP.
The research will recruit a cross-section of service providers (no service users) that work in or with maternity services from four of the nine city Children Centres. Invitation letters will be circulated to potential participants through participating Children Centre management, where they will be invited to participate in the observation and interview data collection activities. They will then be able to select the extent of their participation.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0405
Date of REC Opinion
7 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion