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Research aims to boost access to Newham antenatal care

Monday 18 October 2010

Expectant mother

Expectant mothers living in Newham who do not receive recommended levels of antenatal care are being targeted by researchers aiming to address the issue.

The year-long study into the experiences of vulnerable women in accessing this vital support during pregnancy is a collaborative project between Newham University Hospital NHS Trust (NUHT) and the University of East London, with contributions from the Institute of Education at the University of London.

Previous research suggests women who are either born outside the UK, under 18, homeless, asylum seekers, or experiencing domestic abuse, are more likely to experience late and inconsistent access to antenatal care than others.

National and international health-care guidance recommends that women receive antenatal care as early as possible in their pregnancy, ideally before 10 weeks.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Government’s regulatory and advisory body on health and medical treatments, recently published new guidance on pregnancy and complex social factors.

NICE recommended specialised, flexible antenatal care to increase early access and uptake amongst pregnant women living in difficult social circumstances.

Speaking at a special event staged to launch the new research project at UEL, on Tuesday 12 October, Principal Investigator Angela Harden, who is Professor of Community and Family Health at UEL and NUHT, said: “It is extremely concerning that this discrepancy currently exists in 2010 London. The importance of universal access to good quality antenatal care cannot be overstated.

“We are committed to establishing how and why many women are slipping through the net, and equally intent on finding solutions to this.” Sheila Adam, Clinical Director of Women, Children and Sexual Health at NUHT, said: “We aim to actively involve women, health advocates and health professionals throughout the study to ensure we are examining the most relevant issues, and that our research procedures are sensitive to the needs of women.”

Meg Wiggins, Senior Research Officer at the Institute of Education, said: “The changing nature of maternity services within Newham will be an important context for the study and our research will have important information regarding the service improvements that are implemented.”

Representatives from the Department of Health, the National Perinatal and Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford also spoke at the event. The study will explore the barriers to early and consistent access to antenatal care amongst women and their families in Newham, and will analyse data on antenatal care services, seek the views of women, their families and health professionals, and review international research on the subject.

The research is funded by a programme development grant award from the Department of Health’s National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). It is hoped the study will lead to further funding for a five year research programme addressing the issues identified.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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