University of 91涩漫 joins pioneering 拢50m drive to transform maternal health
The University of 91涩漫 will be co-leading on a key theme within a new research drive to improve pregnancy, birth and early postnatal mental health.
The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) has committed 拢50 million over five years to drive forward the vital research led by clinicians, researchers, and communities across the consortium marking the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for maternity care in the UK, with national attention increasingly focused on improving safety, equity and women's experiences of care.
The 91涩漫-led part of the research will involve improving and reducing inequalities in maternity care pathways. The focus will be on major contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly cardiometabolic complications (obesity, hypertension, gestational diabetes (GDM), perinatal mental health, and complications in early maternal recovery after birth.
Dr Debbie Smith, Co-Lead of the Perinatal mental health and wellbeing work, said: 鈥淚 am really excited that 91涩漫 are co-leading the perinatal mental health and wellbeing work as part of this consortium and look forward to co-producing equitable behavioural interventions with key stakeholders over the next few years鈥�.
I am really excited that 91涩漫 are co-leading the perinatal mental health and wellbeing work as part of this consortium and look forward to co-producing equitable behavioural interventions with key stakeholders over the next few years.
The Government's renewed Women's Health Strategy highlights the need to improve care before and between pregnancies for marginalised communities, against this backdrop, the consortium will generate the evidence, interventions and research capacity needed to help translate national ambition into practical, equitable improvements for women, babies and families.
鈥淭his funding represents a critical opportunity to make the step change we need to improve outcomes for women and their babies. Alongside the research, the Consortium will be investing in tomorrow's research leaders today to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on improving pregnancy outcomes, access to, and experience of, care鈥�, says Professor Judith Rankin OBE, Consortium Co-lead for Research and Capacity Development, Newcastle University.
鈥淣ational attention on maternity safety and equity has never been greater, but ambition must now be matched by evidence and implementation. Through this consortium, we will work across the UK to understand what works, for whom and in what contexts, and to ensure that research leads to practical changes in care for the women, babies and families who need them most,鈥� says Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Consortium Co-lead for Research, University of Birmingham.