ASPIRE-COVID-19: Achieving Safe and Personalised maternity care In Response to Epidemics

Lead Research Organisation: University of Central Lancashire
Department Name: Sch of Comm Health & Midwifery

Abstract

UK policy is for safe, personalised maternity care. However, during COVID-19 tests and visits have been reduced in some places, and some women with worrying symptoms are not going to hospital. Other places are trying new solutions, including remote access technologies. Some Trusts have reduced community maternity services, including home and birthcentre births; barred birth companions in early labour; and separated mothers, babies, and partners during labour, and in neonatal units. There are reports of women giving birth at home without professional help, possibly due to fear of infection, or of family separation. In contrast, the Netherlands has a policy of increased community maternity services during COVID-19. We want to find out how best to provide care for mothers, babies, and partners during and after a pandemic. We will look at what documents and national leads say about service organisation in the UK and the Netherlands, and at women's and parents experiences. We will also look in detail at what happened in 8 UK Trusts during the pandemic. We will find out how their services have been organised during COVID-19, what parents and staff think, and what the outcomes are, including infections. We will then share the findings with key stakeholders to agree a final organisational model that can be used to ensure safe, personalised routine and crisis maternity care, now, and in future. This will include useful resources and links relating to innovative best practices that we find out about during the study.

Publications

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Van Den Berg L (2022) 'Never waste a crisis': a commentary on the COVID-19 pandemic as a driver for innovation in maternity care. in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology

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Cordey S (2022) 'There's only so much you can be pushed': Magnification of the maternity staffing crisis by the 2020/21 COVID-19 pandemic. in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology

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Worthington C (2022) The Aspire Study 5. Reflections On Midwifery-Led Research in The Practising Midwife

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Van Den Berg LMM (2023) The United Kingdom and the Netherlands maternity care responses to COVID-19: A comparative study. in Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives

 
Description *Delivery against objectives

Our primary objective was to find out what makes maternity and neonatal care safe and personalised in a pandemic and beyond.
We said we would produce standard academic outputs, and Open Access data sets. In terms of the former, we currently have 11 papers accepted, in pre-print, in press, or soon to be submitted.

We said we would do an analysis of the nature and drivers of different responses in the UK and the Netherlands, and of women's experiences before during and after the pandemic. We have published papers in all of these areas.

In terms of England, we said we would produce case studies for the Trusts in our study over the time of the pandemic, mapped to a range of related factors, such as staffing. We have a paper in pre-print realted to this objective.

We said we would produce a theoretical model of what worked and what didn't through the pandemic. Production of the planned model based on individual level clinical data was not possible due to issues with the quality and access to routine clinical and organizational data (which we will be reporting on, via a policy brief and a paper, both of which are in final draft) including recommendations for the future. We have produced an infographic with ten key messages related to our findings, which we describe in more detail below.

We are continuing to developing theories about what worked, as the basis for future work on such a model that could be developed from an integration of our data sets, and those of other linked COVID projects, as described below.

We said we would produce a co-designed Open Access model and toolkit to inform crisis and routine maternity care organisation, including algorithms, videos, podcasts, hints, tips, and a consensus report on how the model could be adapted for other settings and disciplines. We have created a Resource Hub contining materials that managers and organisations can use to optimise current services as the post COVID period continues, and to use in a crisis in future. We are working with the multi-centre PIVOTAL research network that we developed as part of our study, to understand messages across a wide range of COVID projects in the area of maternity and family care, to agree and adapt cross-project findings and lessons.

Data we have collected, with our national, international and Trust partners relate to maternity care provision in the UK and the Netherlands, and covers the waves of the pandemic between July 2020 and October 2021. This includes data from 7 English hospital Trusts (ASPIRE Trusts) of varying sizes and geographies, and comprises:

-407 national documents from 40 key organisations in the NL and the UK Feb 2020 - Sept 2021
-26 UK and 13 NL national level interviews (2020-21)
-Babies Born Better (B3) survey data (qualitative and quantitative, service users experience of maternity care that can be geomapped to place of birth) from 2203 women/birthing people in total, 1303 UK, 900 NL (2017-Dec 2021: continuing to June 2022)
-Social media posts from 26 UK Trusts to Sept 2020: from 7 ASPIRE Trusts to Dec 2022
- 316 Interviews with staff and service users (Nov 2020 to Oct 2021) 7 ASPIRE Trusts ; 116 service users, 136 staff, 64 Heads of Service
-Weekly situation reports or similar (Jan 2020 to Sept 2021) 6 ASPIRE Trusts
-Routine clinical data (monthly data), varying time frame (Jan 2018 to Sept 2021) 7 Trusts (some data sets are incomplete as the Trusts could not supply them)
-Routine organisational data, varying time frame (Jan 2018-Sept 2021) 4 Trusts to date: (some data sets are incomplete as the Trusts could not supply them)
-Over 80 Board Reports (or equivalent) for ASPIRE Trusts (March 2020-Sept 2021)

*What we have found to date

Our focus has been on what makes services safe and personalised.

Our main finding is that the pandemic has magnified what was already working or not working in maternity and neonatal services.

The published in press and in preparation papers to date have identified the following (examples of findings to date:
• Innovations that were sparked by the need to rapidly respond to uncertainty and to social distancing; some of these had been requested by staff for years, and the removal of beurocracy by the NHS permitted them to happen overnight; other innovations (such as a rapid move to remote care) were completely unexpected
• Issues with companionship for women and birthing people, especially during ultrasound scans and labour and birth
• Similarities and differences in responses and views in the UK and the Netherland: women were markedly more positive about their birth experiences in the Netherlands than the UK at both before and during COVID. Women in higher socio-economic groups were generally more postive at both time points than those in lower socio-economic groups in both countries
• The change over time in staff experiences and morale, beginning with a postive sense of being all in it together in the early stages of data collection, then moving to a sense of great pressure at the height of the pandemic, with reports of burnout and distress in the 'postpandemic period'.
*Evidence that staffing levels increased at the height of the pandemic, but in the early postpandemic period they fell, with a continuing downward trajectory
• The value of Trust level research staff undertaking interviews and being actively involved in research.
• Evidence that maternity and neonatal data are not fit for purpose for making rapid on-the-ground decisions and assessing their consequences in a timely manner

Ten key recommendations emerged from the data overall for future maternity services, both in and outside of a crisis:

-Prevent staff burnout
-Integrate user and staff voices
-Ensure companionship
-Embed equity
-Enable autonomy
-Foster a team ethos
-Target targets
-Rationalise red tape
-Make data useable
-Consider unintended consequences

*Engaging non-medical staff in active research

-The research staff at Trust level have been actively involved in data collection, and have between them published five articles recounting their engagement to date in a professional journal (The Practising Midwife). These provide a strong endorsement of midwife engagement in research, in line with current government priorities to ensure that non-medical staff become more research active

*Dissemination of our findings in publications, through networks, and to policy makers

-We have published/had accepted papers in a wide range of professional and academic journals

-We coordinate a network of other projects around the country with a focus on organisational and psychological research in the area of COVID-19 for maternity and neonatal care and for parents and young children. This network was invited to present preliminary results across all 18 projects in the network to a high level NHS England meeting on December 6th 2021. It continues to meet regularly, and had received funding from a range of organisations to support the on-going administration and activity of the group. A joint grant proposal related to workforce is currently being developed by group members. The network is providing a strong basis for sharing results and rapidly synergising important policy messages to ensure timely dissemination to decision makers.
Exploitation Route As above, we have already had the opportunity to report on our preliminary results to policy makers, in collaboration with other similar project teams through the PIVOTAL network. We held two dissemination and sharing events in 2022, for policy makers and the public (April 2022, Kings College, London; Sept 2022, Royal Society of Medicine).

The ASPIRE project Advisory and Steering groups include over 30 highly networked people from relevant professional and charitable organisations and pressure groups, and including key people from NHS England and from the Office of the Chief Midwife. This group has had input to many of the decisions taken for the project, and to all of our peer reviewed papers. We anticipate that they will take forward the findings that are of relevance to their organisations.
Sectors Healthcare

URL https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/strengths/maternal-and-child-health/aspire-covid-19
 
Description Findings were presented at a high level policy meeting on the 6th of December 2021. On the 12th of January 2022, 40 stakeholders met to discuss the outputs of the ASPIRE study. On the 30th November, we met with NHSE national maternity policy makers to share the main ASPIRE output, the ASPIRE Resource Hub. It was received with interest and several useful suggestions were made for further develpment. We are now in discussion with Lancashire and South Cumbria ICP about linking the Hub to their new maternity resource site * This study received extension (new end date 25th of February 2022). Therefore we are still producing outputs and potential impact.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Healthcare
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description Early insights from new research on maternity services to inform service COVID-19 recovery
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Translating COVID research insights into policy change through engagement with maternity and neonatal services policy makers and knowledge brokers
Amount £17,263 (GBP)
Organisation University of Central Lancashire 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 12/2021 
End 03/2022
 
Description Using data to understand and respond to the impact of COVID-19 on the safety and personalisation of maternity care in the UK
Amount £11,060 (GBP)
Organisation University of Southampton 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 10/2022
 
Title ASPIRE COVID-19 Work Package 2: Babies Born Better Survey, United Kingdom and the Netherlands, 2020 
Description This is a collection of data undertaken by the members of Work Package 2 (WP2), of the ASPIRE COVID-19 project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation's rapid response to COVID-19 [grant number ES/V004581/1]. The collection contains two datasets: 1) Anonymised Babies Born Better survey responses (quantitative only) recorded between 18th June 2020 and December 31st 2020 for women who gave birth to their most recent baby between 2017 and December 2020 in the UK and the Netherlands(available under standard Safeguarded access); 2) Anonymised Babies Born Better survey responses (qualitative only) recorded between 18th June 2020 and December 31st 2020 for women who gave birth to their most recent baby between 2017 and December 2020 in the UK and the Netherlands (available under Permission Only Safeguarded access). 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact See pre-print: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.04.11.22273702v1 
URL https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855862/
 
Title ASPIRE COVID-19 Work Package 2: National Stakeholders Interviews, the Netherlands, 2020-2022 
Description *The dataset is a collection of data undertaken by the members of Work Package 2 (WP2), of the ASPIRE COVID-19 project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation's rapid response to COVID-19 [grant number ES/V004581/1]. Full details of the main study are available via ResearchRegistry (researchregistry5911) and via UKRI Gateway (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FV004581%2F1). This dataset contains interviews (n=13) with leads (stakeholders in maternal and neonatal care) in relevant national governmental, professional, and service user organisations in the Netherlands (See section WP2 - point 3). *13 anonymised semi-structured interviews - transcribed (NL only). *The relevant UK dataset can be found here: https://doi.org/10.17030/uclan.data.00000319 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Please see studies based on this dataset: 1. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/1/e051965 2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871519222000488?via%3Dihub 
URL https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/855861/
 
Title ASPIRE_COVID-19_WP2_National_Stakeholders_Interviews_UK 
Description *The dataset is a collection of data undertaken by the members of Work Package 2 (WP2), of the ASPIRE COVID-19 project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation's rapid response to COVID-19 [grant number ES/V004581/1]. Full details of the main study are available via ResearchRegistry (researchregistry5911) and via UKRI Gateway (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FV004581%2F1). This dataset contains interviews (n=26) with leads (stakeholders in maternal and neonatal care) in relevant national governmental, professional, and service user organisations in the UK. *26 anonymised semi-structured interviews - transcribed (UK only). *Interview Schedule: A detailed interview schedule including an introduction and reiterate key information was used. Interviews were started with an opening question regarding participants views on the most important issues for maternity and neonatal care provision that have come out of COVID-19. Then participants were asked about changes/adaptations to service delivery, decision making processes, communication and implementation, impact, barriers and facilitators, and recommendations and sustainability. *Full data description, including methods, ethics etc in "Dataset_Description_National_Stakeholders_Interviews_ASPIRE_COVID-19_WP2_UK" file. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Please see relevant published paper http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/40062/ and pre-print https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.08.21254762v1 
URL https://doi.org/10.17030/uclan.data.00000319
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) - Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
Organisation Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration for Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): James Harris (PI), Amaya Iriondo-Coysh, Miriam Bourke, Georgia Kontosorou
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 55 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact No outcomes or outputs yet
Start Year 2021
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) - Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
Organisation Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): Katrina Rigby (PI), Cheryl Wyatt, Julie Earnshaw
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 55 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact WP3 lead Dr Carol Kingdon and LTHT PI/Research Lead Katrina Rigby presented the ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE at the THRIVE Centre Postgraduate Seminar (output logged separately under Engagement activities)
Start Year 2020
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) - Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust 
Organisation Liverpool Womens NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration for Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): Gillian Houghton (PI), Amy Mahdi, Caroline Cunningham, Michelle Dower, Siobhan Holt, Sian Rodgers
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 55 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact No outcomes or outputs yet
Start Year 2021
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) - Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust 
Organisation Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration for Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): Claire Worthington (PI), Caroline Eynon, Michelle Mauder, Paula Lavandeira-Fernadez
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 55 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact No outcomes or outputs yet
Start Year 2021
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust 
Organisation South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration for Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): Clare O'Brien (PI), Sandra Murphy, Kelly Jukes
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 55 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact No outcomes or outputs yet
Start Year 2021
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) North Cumbria Integrated Foundation Trust 
Organisation North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers for University Hospitals Plymouth involved the following individuals: Ajith Wijesiriwardana (PI) and Research Midwives Rachel Christie (nee Hardy), Theresa Cooper, and Anna McSkeane.
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 45 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact WP3 lead Prof. Soo Downe, research associates Sarah Cordey and Gill Moncrieff, and research midwives Theresa Cooper, Rachel Christie, and Anna McSkeane collaborated on a reflective paper for The Practising Midwife. Data collected from the Trust interviews were used in a commentary paper about the NHS staffing crisis submitted to BJOG.
Start Year 2021
 
Description ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers collaboration (Research Midwives) University Hospitals Plymouth 
Organisation Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution As a university-based research team we had to find new ways of working to deliver the study design remotely. We knew the NHS was investing heavily in digital capabilities during the pandemic, including the use of MS Teams for its collaboration functionality and security features. For these reasons we chose MS Teams as the platform by which to run the study. MS Teams enabled us to devise systems that were both regulatory compliant and could be scaled up as new recruitment (Trust) sites came on board. Using MS Teams we created a digital space for each site where documents could be stored, stakeholder interviews could be scheduled, conducted, digitally recorded and logged simultaneously by university and Trust based research teams, and data could be uploaded securely. Localised information sheets, consent forms and interview schedules were saved in the TEAMS space. Consent and interview recordings appeared in the posts. In accordance with our ethics approval all participant data had to be stored within the secure MS Teams sites that sat within the university network. We also used digital enablers to enhance recruitment to stakeholder interviews via Twitter and Facebook Groups. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE is unusual in the NIHR Portfolio because it has a strong qualitative component and Research Midwives within Trusts undertake interviews. Qualitative interview training was provided alongside practice sessions for conducting the interviews remotely. These sessions helped to foster productive working relationships between the Trust and university teams. Initial challenges with the technology were shared and communication was regular. ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE Researchers for University Hospitals Plymouth involved the following individuals (Research Midwives): Heidi Hollands (PI), and Donna Underwood.
Collaborator Contribution The ESRC grant included funding for a Research Midwife in each Trust to champion the project, recruit participants for interview, conduct interviews and save all data to the university network (via MS Teams). Typically, these funds have been spent on a shared post with a team of part-time research midwives recruiting and/or conducting interviews. A maximum of 45 interviews per site were specified in the study protocol with 20 interviews conducted by the university-based team and the remainder by the Research Midwives in Trusts.
Impact WP3 lead Prof. Soo Downe, UPH Site Lead Sarah Cordey and Heidi Hollands collaborated on a reflective paper for The Practising Midwife. Data collected from the Trust interviews were used in a commentary paper about the NHS staffing crisis submitted to BJOG.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation City, University of London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Durham University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation King's College London
Department Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Liverpool John Moores University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation Swansea University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University College London
Department Institute for Women's Health
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University College London
Department Institute of Education (IOE)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Birmingham
Department Institute of Applied Health Research
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Department THIS Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Department THIS Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Huddersfield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Leeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Soo Downe (PI of the ASPIRE study) set up the National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network on January 2021. She now coordinates the activities of the group, in partnership with the other members. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. Members meets every 6 weeks, and is hosted by UCLan.
Collaborator Contribution We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up.
Impact The National COVID-19 Collaborative Research Network is an on-going network that meets every 6 weeks. The aim is to establish and sustain a network of researchers to add value to the insights arising across our projects for policy, practice, and future research. We are planning a face to face cross project learning symposium in November 2021, and to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Continuing work on projects linked to ASPIRE COVID-19 
Organisation University of Southampton
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The team are active partners in the Atlas of Birth project that is funded by this grant. The project directly builds on the outcomes of the ASPIRE COVID-19 study.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in Southampton have designed the study, and are undertaking data collection and analysis
Impact Project has just started
Start Year 2021
 
Description PIVOTAL network (previously COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network) 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Please see the entry for COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network for partnerships. The ASPIRE team continue to facilitate the network and to lead key activities
Collaborator Contribution Various of the partners have generated income to support the network, organised and hosted local meetings, and contributed to mapping studies and data collection related to operationalising the network
Impact Papers, bids, and policy briefs are currently in preparation. Public dissemination events are reported in the parallel record on Research Fish (COVID Maternity: Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network for partnerships)
Start Year 2022
 
Description ASPIRE COVID-19 study appeared in the New Statesman 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact ASPIRE has been mentioned in the New Statesman article, 'Labouring alone: How some maternity services failed pregnant women in the Covid-19 age' on Monday, 14th September 2020
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.newstatesman.com/international/coronavirus/2020/09/labouring-alone-how-some-maternity-ser...
 
Description Development of project's website and social media channels 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact - Development and dissemination of the project's website: www.aspire-covid19.com . The website was created to promote and disseminate ASPIRE, increase project's visibility, attract attention, and promote collaboration and engagement. The website is updated on a regular basis and it was developed in collaboration with the Advisory Group of the project, implementing their positive and constructive feedback. A day after the website was officially launched, we received an email communication from a healthcare professional who described and shared his/her experiences, expressing his/her interest into the study. The ASPIRE team has been contacted by health professionals, journalists, students etc.
- To further facilitate project's engagement with the wider public, support recruitment procedures and disseminate daily activities/news, we have created a Facebook (ASPIRE COVID-19 UK https://www.facebook.com/ASPIRECOVID19 ) and a Twitter account (@aspirecovid19 https://twitter.com/aspirecovid19 ) with more than 450 followers. Collaborators and NHS Trusts interacted directly with our social media means, which supported engagement and recruitment procedures
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.aspire-covid19.com
 
Description Pre-Policy Seminar Workshop - COVID Maternity, Neonatal and Parenting Organisation of Care Collaborative Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact There are currently 34 members of the collaborative, representing a range of COVID-19 research projects from around the country in the area of organisation of health and social care/ social and psychological impacts/views and experiences relating to the pandemic for pregnant women/birthing people, families, parents and children (first 1000 days). Members actively participate in updating each other on their projects, sharing insights, and providing information about stored data sets and opportunities for further research. On November 9th 2021 we held an all-day hybrid forward planning meeting in London. The meeting was hosted by UCL, and members of the network contributed to different sections of the programme, and to the post-event write up. We are planning to produce a journal series linking up the learning from across our projects. In addition, a policy-making event has been scheduled for the 6th of December. The network is highly multi-disciplinary researchers from several disciplines (midwifery, obstetrics, biomedical engineering, physiology, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, statistics, health informatics etc), as well as clinical staff and policymakers. We are in the process of producing a report from our meeting on November 9th 2021. We have also been invited to share early insights on the findings across all of our projects to policy makers on December 6th 2021. We have a very active Teams site, and documents and project outputs are shared in that space.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation to Network Geboortezorg (Network of maternity care professionals North West of the Netherlands) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Online Conference Presentation to Network Geboortezorg (10th Sept 2020). The Network is a partnership of hospitals, obstetric practices, maternity care organisations etc and covers a large area with a total of 14 Midwifery Partnerships. Main audience (approx. 200 attendees) included professional practitioners, policymakers, patients' representatives and lecturers/researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presentation to Symposium Geboortezorg - The Netherlands 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Online Conference Presentation during the Symposium Geboortezorg (27th Nov 2020). Geboortezorg Network is a network for maternity care professionals from the North of the Netherlands. Main audience (approx. 200 attendees) included professional practitioners, policymakers, patients' representatives, and lecturers/researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presenting ASPIRE COVID-19 at UCLan THRIVE Research Centre Postgraduate Seminar 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact The lead of WP3 Dr Carol Kingdom, together with Ms Katrina Rigby (Senior Research Midwife at LTHTR / Reproductive Health, Childbirth & Children's Research Team Leader), presented the "ASPIRE COVID-19-CENTRE" at the THRIVE Research Centre Postgraduate Seminar (25th of May 2021). The presentation was entitled "ASPIRE-COVID-19-CENTRE: Being part of the midwifery-led research teams researching safe and personalised in NHS Trusts during the COVID-19 pandemic". The seminar took place online via MS Teams. Main audience (approx. 50-60 attendees) included post-graduate students, health care professionals, researchers from several fields, as well as members of the ASPIRE study.

Following the presentation the Editor of The Practising Midwife Journal, approached Dr Carol Kingdom and Ms Katrina Rigby, offering to organise a series. The series will facilitate midwives confidence and profile in research. The series will include 6 papers (1 introduction about the study and 5 from participating NHS Trusts). The first article from the series will be published in October Issue and following one article will be published each month until March (one issue is published per month).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presenting ASPIRE COVID-19 at University of Nottingham COG Seminar Programme 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Prof. Soo Downe PI of ASPIRE COVID-19 study was invited to talk about the ASPIRE study at the University of Nottingham Child Health and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Divisional lunchtime seminar programme for 2021. The audience consisted of approximately 15 individuals mainly obstetricians. The event took place online via MS Teams. Qualitative data, variations in national guidelines and local public facing Trust information were presented. Participants were really interested in the project and provided a really positive feedback, describing the project as "brilliant" and "fantastic".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presenting ASPIRE to the Midwifery Units Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The lead of the Working Group 3 Dr Carol Kingdon presented on "The Covid-19 pandemic and the benefits of midwifery units: Strategic responses, frontline care and service users' experiences" and ASPIRE COVID-19 study. The audience were members of the Midwifery Units Network.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presenting ASPIRE to the WHO Maternity Collaborating Centres Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact On the 23rd of September 2020, the Principal Investigator of the ASPIRE COVID-19 study Prof. Soo Downe presented on ASPIRE to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maternity Collaborating Centres network. About 162 attendees globally participated in the online event, including the Chief Nursing Officer at WHO Elizabeth Iro, and the WHO Midwifery lead Fran McConville.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Press release about ASPIRE COVID-19 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Press release to disseminate the beginning of the new project to University's database of journalists, peers, partners, professional networks and wider audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL http://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/uclan-secures-12m-funding-from-ukri-esrc-to-research-impact-of-covid-19-...
 
Description Work Package 3 update newsletter 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Research midwives were able to view and acknowledge the work that they had contributed to the project, as the WP3 newsletter was created in a printable format to display in offices, where applicable.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020