PHA Announces New 'Model Of Care' For Pregnant Women

A new model of care to pregnant women in Northern Ireland has been announced by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

The new model of care, which will see women receive support from the same midwifery team, will be safely rolled out across all Health and Social Care Trusts in the coming months.

'Continuity of Midwifery Carer' (CoMC) is a new model for women throughout their pregnancy journey that aims to provide positive clinical outcomes and higher care satisfaction.

Michelle Harrison, Midwife Consultant (Continuity of Midwifery Carer) at the PHA, said: "This innovative model will become the standard model of maternity care across Northern Ireland. It is a way of delivering maternity care so that women receive dedicated support from the same midwifery team throughout their pregnancy. The relationship that is created between care giver and receiver has been proven to lead to better outcomes and safety for the woman and baby, as well as offering a more positive and personal experience.

"Every pregnant woman who is eligible - those who receive all their antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care in the same HSC Trust –  will have a named midwife who works in a small team of midwives. The named midwife will be the key professional responsible for co-ordinating the woman's care."

Evidence shows that if a woman is cared for under the Continuity of Midwifery Carer model they are:

• more likely to have a positive birth experience;

• less likely to have an assisted birth;

• less likely to have your baby early;

• less likely to lose your baby at any stage of pregnancy;

• less likely to need an epidural for pain relief during labour;

• less likely to require an episiotomy;

• more likely to know the midwife who will be supporting you in labour.

Michelle continued: "Each trust in Northern Ireland has been busy ensuring the essential building blocks are in place to support the implementation of this new model. Over the next few months it is anticipated that all trusts will have at least one team established. Eligible women will be able to decide if they wish to benefit from this model of care and will meet their named midwife at their booking appointment. This midwife will be responsible for planning and providing their care throughout your pregnancy.

"The named midwife, or member of the team, will attend the regular schedule of antenatal appointments with the woman. These appointments can be flexible and arranged to suit both mum and midwife. If at any stage of the pregnancy a woman needs to see a consultant or other medical specialist, their named midwife may attend these appointments with them. Women will have the opportunity to meet all the midwives in their CoMC team at 'drop-in' sessions, coffee mornings and antenatal education classes.

"The CoMC Team will provide 24/7 availability for labour and birth and will support women in all birth choice settings – home, midwifery-led unit or delivery suite. The named midwife will also support a woman during the discharge from hospital, if that is where she had her baby, will visit her at home after the birth, and will co-ordinate the handover of care to the Health Visitor, to ensure mother and baby get the care you need."