Harnessing cross-country administrative data to evaluate national policy impacts on maternal, infant and child health and health inequalities-MatCHNet

Lead Research Organisation: University of Glasgow
Department Name: MRC Social & Public Health Services Unit

Abstract

Many chronic diseases have their origins in infancy and childhood and are socially patterned. The social determinants of health are complex and inter-related and may be influenced by population characteristics, policies, and service provision. UK national and devolved governments have introduced many policies in maternal and early years, but most of these policies have not been evaluated. They have been rolled out across the whole country and it is difficult to evaluate policies that apply to the whole population. In addition finding appropriate data, comparison groups and methods to evaluate these policies is problematic. Each of the four UK countries has its own administrative data collection systems which collect different information. However, there have been innovations in cross-government sector linked, population-level administrative data (which span family members, policy areas and the lifecourse) which provide opportunities to evaluate policies which may address chronic disease and reduce health inequalities.

The Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCH-Net) will develop a multidisciplinary, community of public health researchers, methodologists, policy makers and service providers who together can prioritise national policy interventions, or social, environmental or service determinants of adverse child outcomes that can be feasibly and validly evaluated. The multidisciplinary network, with research users embedded from the start, aims to prioritise such policies, identify comparable administrative data sources and measures, and consolidate and disseminate methods for robust evaluation of national policies.

By working together with users, MatCH-Net will lay the groundwork for the evaluation of upstream, national polices, which are prioritised by users, such as policy makers, practitioners, multi-sectoral public organisations and third sector organisations. All network activities will therefore be relevant and accessible to these four key groups to ensure maximum engagement of these potential beneficiaries.

The policy-makers will be play an important role in the prioritisation of policies for evaluation. In addition they will learn from policy implementation outwith their own particular remit, department and policy context and thus consider other policy approaches which can have far reaching impacts on NCD prevention and wider societal and economic benefits. Administrative Data Holders from the four UK countries and different policy sectors will attend all events, but will play a key role in those around routine data. Researchers will learn about the data that are available and data holders can learn from each other about optimal data collection, storage, and sharing. They will have an understanding of the potential for linking their data sets with other departmental data and gain an insight into how their data can be used and enhanced to evaluate policies to improve maternal and child health.

Longer-term benefits of MatCH-Net to policy makers, practitioners and families will be the future research that will flow from the foundational work undertaken by the network. This will lead to an improved and rich evidence base for social policy affecting the determinants of early childhood outcomes. By definition these whole population social policy interventions have the potential to impact on the lives of families across the UK.

The sustainability of MatCH-Net will be ensured by the preparation of grant funding applications to evaluate the policies prioritised by the workshops and activities with the stakeholders and users. Within these proposals we will request small amounts of funding to enable network activities to continue in the longer term.

Technical Summary

The impact of fetal, infant and child health on NCDs is well-recognised. Upstream, structural factors, which are complex and inter-related, are likely to the the most fruitful for the prevention of NCDs and inequality reduction. However the evidence base to support this is limited due to difficulties in evaluating policies, which cannot be evaluated in trials. Innovations in linked, population-level administrative data (which span family members, disciplines and the lifecourse), variations between the UK countries, and continously advancing methodological options, provide unrivalled opportunities to identify which social and public health strategies are most likely to improve chronic disease and reduce health inequalities.
The Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCH-Net) will develop a sustainable, multidisciplinary community of researchers and methodologists and key stakeholders: policy makers, service providers and multi-sectoral public and third sector organisations. This cross-country network is key, as data systems have evolved separately between the UK countries and policy contexts diverge with more devolution of powers.
The network will lay essential foundations for future research, through three iterative objectives: 1) mapping policy variations over time and between countries and prioritising those for evaluation; 2) identifying comparable administrative data sources and indicators for national evaluation; and 3) consolidating and disseminating methods for robust evaluation of national policies.
All network activities will be relevant and accessible to our key stakeholders to ensure maximum engagement of these potential beneficiaries. Network members will work together to prioritise research questions and pump prime funds will be used to pilot the most promising of these. The full funding applications that follow will request small amounts of funding to enable network activities to continue in longer term.

This grant is funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) which is administered by the Medical Research Council on behalf of the UKPRP's 12 funding partners: British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK; Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Economic and Social Research Council; Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, Welsh Government; Health and Social Care Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland; Medical Research Council; Natural Environment Research Council; National Institute for Health Research; The Health Foundation; The Wellcome Trust.

Planned Impact

The Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCH-Net) will be of interest to a wide variety of stakeholders from within and beyond the traditional, academic prevention of non-communicable diseases field. MatCH-Net has an inclusive perspective and as such membership of the network will be open to anyone with an interest in maternal and child health; using routine data for research and robust methods for policy analysis. This approach will allow for all potential beneficiaries of the future research proposals (after the end of the UKPRP funding) to have an opportunity to engage with the network. There are five main beneficiaries: 1) Policy-makers from national and devolved government departments and national Public Health Agencies; 2) Administrative Data Holders; 3) Third sector organisations and practitioners; 4) the General Public; 5) Academics (covered in separate section).

Immediate benefits to network members will lead to improved shared understanding of 1) the variation across nations and time of UK social policy likely to impact on early childhood outcomes and their variation; 2) comparable population based administrative data available across settings providing information on interventions, confounders, and outcomes; and 3) robust methodological approaches from various disciplines to assess the impact of policy interventions. Immediate benefits to other policy makers, practitioners, and lay representatives will be the opportunity to influence the priorities of the network through our activities and engagement work.

Short-term benefits to policy makers from various departments (e.g. health, education, welfare) in devolved administrations across the UK will be improved understanding of differences in policy interventions and timelines across nations and opportunities to learn from these policy variations.
Short-term benefits to public will occur via public engagement activities. Individual children and their families, will gain experience of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) through the activities around data linkage. They will also have a better understanding of where tax payers money gets spent across government departments and will have an opportunity to influence researchers. These interactions with the public might alter research questions.

Policy makers and third sector will be able to shape the network priorities and specifically the research questions, this will better suit their needs and the needs of their own beneficiaries (the public, specific interest groups). They will gain a greater appreciation of what can and cannot be achieved by researchers with the data and methods available. They will communicate to researchers what works well for them. Development of new working relationships with researchers will, in the medium term, increase and improve research being carried at the research-policy nexus. Achieving this through the network (as opposed for standalone projects, as is often the case) will enable longevity.

More distal benefits to policy makers, practitioners and families will be the future research that will flow from the foundational work undertaken by the network. This will lead to an enriched evidence base for social policy affecting the determinants of early childhood outcomes. By definition these whole population social policy interventions have the potential for impact on the lives of families across the UK.

Publications

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Shah R (2023) Childcare support and early education. in BMJ (Clinical research ed.)

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Dundas R (2022) Investing in early years to reduce non-communicable diseases in adults. in European journal of public health

 
Title Perinatal mental health data animation 
Description This animation is about perinatal mental health and the power of administrative data for public good. It was co-produced as result of a public engagement project funded by Research Data Scotland. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact The animation was launched at 'Small Talk, Big Data', an event in the CCA organised with the Mental Health Foundation as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (October 2023). Two other short films exploring mental health during the perinatal period were shown at the event, each collaboratively produced with individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals and other project partners. 
URL https://youtu.be/K8452FRKEy4
 
Title Perinatal mental health data animation 
Description This is a 2 minute animation about perinatal mental health and the power of administrative data for public good. It was co-produced as result of a public engagement project funded by Research Data Scotland. MatCHNet funded the pump priming project, upon which the animation is based. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact The animation was launched at 'Small Talk, Big Data', an event in the CCA organised with the Mental Health Foundation as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (October 2023). This event was attended by more than 50 people and included third sector organisations, academics, charities, practitioners and the general public. Two other short films exploring mental health during the perinatal period were shown at the event, each collaboratively produced with individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals and other project partners. The animation is being hosted online by the Mental Health Foundation, Research Data Scotland, MatCHNet and the SPHSU. 
URL https://youtu.be/K8452FRKEy4
 
Description Attended a private roundtable discussion on children and young people's wellbeing, with Labour frontbenchers.
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Citation in Work and Pensions Committee report on child poverty (April 2021)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/23133/pdf/
 
Description Consultation Response to Work and Pensions Committee: Children in Poverty: Measurement and Targets
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Consultation Response to Work and Pensions Committee: Children in Poverty: Measurement and Targets
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7383/documents/77496/default/
 
Description Input to MRC/CSO SPHSU Consultation Response to Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Scottish Parliament
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_845551_smxx.pdf
 
Description Participation in a national consultation - Consultation Response to ESRC Data Infrastructure Strategy (2021)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_811080_smxx.pdf
 
Description Start for Life Academic Roundtable - OHID
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Start for Life Outcomes Framework Academic Discussion
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description demystifying public engagement to population health researchers
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Glasgow University Knowledge Exchange Award
Amount £1,960 (GBP)
Organisation University of Glasgow 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2022 
End 02/2023
 
Description RDS Public Engagement Fund
Amount £11,518 (GBP)
Organisation Research Data Scotland 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2023 
End 12/2023
 
Description UK Prevention Research Partnership - Community of Practice
Amount £300,000 (GBP)
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Department UK PRP
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2021 
End 12/2023
 
Description Collaboration on Sure Start Northern Ireland evaluation project 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution MatCHNet supported the pump priming project on early years education in Northern Ireland. This included funding the scoping project, supporting the research team and providing additional funding for public engagement work.
Collaborator Contribution Meng Le Zhang has successfully completed the pump priming project, which included engagement with non-academic partners and policy makers.
Impact A grant application was drafted and submitted to the UKRI Creating Opportunities Evaluation Development Fund. This will focus upon evaluating the Sure Start programme in Northern Ireland.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Updating Natural Experiment Guidance 
Organisation University of Bristol
Department School of Social and Community Medicine
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Dundas is part of the management group that is taking forward the updating of the guidance for carrying out evaluations of natural experiments. She co-lead the workshop and will lead on sections of the guidance report.
Collaborator Contribution Partners also co-lead the workshop and will lead sections of the guidance report. One partner is seeking funding to support the development of the guidance.
Impact Outcomes - 2 day international, agenda setting workshop on natural experiment evaluation; funding proposal to NIHR/MRC Public health, policy evaluation, statistics, economics, sociology, social epidemiology
Start Year 2019
 
Description Updating Natural Experiment Guidance 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Dundas is part of the management group that is taking forward the updating of the guidance for carrying out evaluations of natural experiments. She co-lead the workshop and will lead on sections of the guidance report.
Collaborator Contribution Partners also co-lead the workshop and will lead sections of the guidance report. One partner is seeking funding to support the development of the guidance.
Impact Outcomes - 2 day international, agenda setting workshop on natural experiment evaluation; funding proposal to NIHR/MRC Public health, policy evaluation, statistics, economics, sociology, social epidemiology
Start Year 2019
 
Title Data Detective Game 
Description This prototype online game is aimed at school children to show how to link data securely to help stop the spread of a mystery disease. The online game introduces children to how as public health researchers, we use data from surveys, health records, and other sources. It aims to help children/users understand where and why some people are less healthy than others. Data Detective shows user how and why public researchers use data. 
Type Of Technology Webtool/Application 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact The game was developed with local schoolchildren in a Clydebank school, Glasgow. 
URL https://datadetective.pages.dev/
 
Description 15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast - Reducing Health Inequalities in the Early Years (AP) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact In this podcast, Anna Pearce was interviewed by Alastair Leyland and Ruth Dundas about a report written for the WHO re: reducing health inequities in the early years - introducing the rationale for focussing on the early years, the state of the evidence base, and options for policy-makers to reduce inequalities. It was launched on World Children's Day.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://t.co/n8pxCdXgW6?amp=1
 
Description 15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast: Baby Boxes in Finland and Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Ronan McCabe talks to Anna Pearce and Alastair Leyland about his recent work evaluating the impacts of the introduction of Baby Boxes in Finland and Scotland.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://share.transistor.fm/s/f2be9eb2
 
Description 15 Minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast: Baby Boxes in Finland and Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Ronan McCabe talks to Anna Pearce and Alastair Leyland about his recent work evaluating the impacts of the introduction of Baby Boxes in Finland and Scotland.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://share.transistor.fm/s/f2be9eb2
 
Description 15 minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast: The Maternal and Child Health Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Ruth Dundas, Alastair Leyland and Anna Pearce discuss the Maternal and Child Health network (MatCHNet) - including its aims, challenges, progress to date and next steps.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://share.transistor.fm/s/d5473fd0
 
Description 15 minutes on Health Inequalities Podcast: The Maternal and Child Health Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Ruth Dundas, Alastair Leyland and Anna Pearce discuss the Maternal and Child Health network (MatCHNet) - including its aims, challenges, progress to date and next steps.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://share.transistor.fm/s/d5473fd0
 
Description Article in SSM Newsletter 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Article about MatCHNet published in SSM Newsletter (March 2021). Article provided information about online prioritisation poll and invitation for individuals to join the network. In the few weeks since publication there have been several requests to join the network and additional followers on MatCHNet's Twitter account.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Attendance at Covid-19 Data Dive - UK Data Service 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Opportunity to work with academics and data providers to investigate Covid-19 datasets in relation to child and maternal health. Took part in small group work to prepare presentation that was presented to around 50 attendees - this allowed MatCHNet's research and plans to be publicised.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Attendance at Westminster Health Forum policy conference: Improving baby and child health and reducing inequalities, priorities for commissioning and opportunities for improving the health outcomes for young children across healthcare 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Attendance at the event facilitated contact with key stakeholders in the area of child and maternal health. After the event, direct contact was made via email and Twitter to key attendees/organisations. This has resulted in increased social media followers for MatCHNet and names being added to our membership list.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Attended a private roundtable discussion on children and young people's wellbeing, with Labour frontbenchers. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Contributed at a private roundtable discussion on children and young people's wellbeing, with Labour frontbenchers. Highlighted the importance of the early years, maternal health, data and the role that MatCHNet is playing. This discussion formed part of a wider project, initiated by Kier Starmer, on wellbeing and how politics and policy makers can make the country healthier and happier as we begin to think about recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. These initial discussions will contribute to a political platform that can change the fortunes of children and young people in Britain so that each individual can fulfil their true potential.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Conference presentation (International Population Data Linkage Network 2022, Edinburgh) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Paper presented at the International Population Data Linkage Network Conference - discussion and questions based on work. Engagement with data experts and providers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://ijpds.org/article/view/1833
 
Description European Public Health Week 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact MatCHNet created a webpage that collates knowledge about the challenges of evaluating social policies that can improve child and maternal health. The European Public Health Week (EUPHW) aims to raise awareness about public health and promote collaboration among the public health community in Europe. This resource reached an international audience, which led to increased engagement with MatCHNet's website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/euphw/
 
Description Evidence Week at the Scottish Parliament (March 2022) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact A video presentation on using data systems to improve maternal and child health was used to introduce MatCHNet and led to several follow-up conversations. Meetings were held with 3 MSPs and 4 policy advisors. Conversations focused on maternal and child health policies, the devolved administration, and using data to evaluate policies. The conversations led to 2 MSPs joining the MatCHNet network and subsequently being invited to the policy evaluation webinar series.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://senseaboutscience.org/evidence-week-holyrood/institution/how-to-effectively-use-data-systems...
 
Description Gave talk at the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents series on Community Safety Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presented research findings on inequalities in unintentional injuries in Scotland and amenable mechanisms; contributed to panel discussion / Q&A
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited Presentation to Childrens' Research Network Wales 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Invited presentation to Children's Research Network in Wales to outline the activities of MatCHNet and the pump priming funding scheme. Audience of 8 that included representatives from Children in Wales, Welsh Government and Welsh academics. Group were interested to learn about MatCHNet and provided feedback on policy-related topics. As an umbrella organisation, Children in Wales agreed to distribute (future) information about MatCHNet to its members. Contact was also made with someone in the Welsh Government who agreed to arrange for colleagues to look over and input to our draft policy briefings that summarise policy variations in early years across the 4 UK nations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Invited presentation to UKPRP Health and Early Years Seminar (RD) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Ruth Dundas was invited to present at this event to showcase the MatCHNet Network to the wider UKPRP community. This was a well-attended event that included non-academic audiences. There was direct contact made by policymakers to join the Network and continue the conversation post-event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzC4MPrV_XM
 
Description Launch event for perinatal mental health data animation (RS) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact In collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation, Rosie Seaman co-produced a new animation about perinatal mental health and the power of administrative data for public good. The animation was created by media co-op and is the result of a public engagement project funded by Research Data Scotland.
The animation was launched at 'Small Talk, Big Data', an event in the CCA organised with the Mental Health Foundation as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (October 2023). Two other short films exploring mental health during the perinatal period were shown at the event, each collaboratively produced with individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals and other project partners.
The event was attended by over 50 people and included study participants (general public), third sectors organisations, charities, academics and practitioners. The event was chaired by the policy manager of NSPCC and included a panel discussion with key experts highlighting policy priorities for perinatal mental health. The animation was viewed by the audience and stimulated questions about NHS data and data protection issues re accessing services and referring women. The animation was posted on MatCHNet's Twitter account, which has generated interest and increased our followers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://youtu.be/K8452FRKEy4
 
Description MatCHNet Stakeholder Meetings (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Three stakeholder discussions were held during 2021 (March, June, September 2021) to co-produce MatCHNet's research manifesto, to provide feedback/input on policy prioritisation, to give advice on further engagement and publication plans. The members provided input to the content of the research manifesto, policy summaries, and engagement activities. In terms of outcomes, the consultation discussions have specifically resulted in a lunchtime webinar series and policy briefings being drafted for publication.

The stakeholder group consists of members from all 4 UK Public Health Agencies, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Government, service providers, and third sector/advocacy organisations from across the 4 UK nations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description MatCHNet online prioritisation poll (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact MatCHNet ran an online policy prioritisation poll and manifesto consultation (March-May 2021) to supplement the stakeholder meetings. Hosted on our website, the short poll listed the 16 candidate policies from the policy review and asked respondents to select their top 3 policy priorities. There were 51 responses. Respondents were 39% academics, 35% NHS, with representation from government departments, the voluntary sector and service provision. The sample identified the top 3 policy priorities and provided feedback on the MatCHNet research manifesto. The online poll also led to more individuals joining the Network.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCHNet) Webinar Series: Policy Evaluations in the Early Years (2021/2022) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact MatCHNet held a lunchtime policy webinar series in Autumn 2021 and Spring 2022. This included 6 different policy webinars that showcased existing evaluations of policy in the early years. This included work in progress as well as completed projects from across the 4 UK nations. Presentations focused on evaluations of policies using routine and administrative data or secondary analysis of existing data.
Each 15 minute presentation was followed by questions and discussion that spanned academic and non-academic audiences including policy makers, service providers, and third sector organisations. Each event was attended by c40 participants.
The events led to further members joining the MatCHNet network and requesting further information. The webinar videos are available online and this has resulted in increased engagement with our website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/events/
 
Description Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCHNet) Webinar Series: Policy Evaluations in the Early Years (2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact MatCHNet held a lunchtime policy webinar series in Spring/Summer 2023. This included 3 policy webinars that showcased existing evaluations of policy in the early years. This included work in progress as well as completed projects from across the 4 UK nations. Presentations focused on evaluations of policies using routine and administrative data or secondary analysis of existing data. Each 15 minute presentation was followed by questions and discussion that spanned academic and non-academic audiences including policy makers, service providers, and third sector organisations. Each event was attended by c50-100 participants. Two webinars were chaired by Public Health Consultants. These knowledge brokerage events were well received by the participants. The events led to further members joining the MatCHNet network and requesting further information (e.g. access to the ECHILD database and conversations with local authorities). The webinar videos are available online and this has resulted in increased engagement with our website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/events/
 
Description Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCHNet) Webinar Series: Policy Evaluations in the Early Years (2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact MatCHNet held a lunchtime policy webinar series in Spring/Summer 2023. This included 3 policy webinars that showcased existing evaluations of policy in the early years. This included work in progress as well as completed projects from across the 4 UK nations. Presentations focused on evaluations of policies using routine and administrative data or secondary analysis of existing data. Each 15 minute presentation was followed by questions and discussion that spanned academic and non-academic audiences including policy makers, service providers, and third sector organisations. Each event was attended by c50-100 participants. Two webinars were chaired by Public Health Consultants. These knowledge brokerage events were well received by the participants. The events led to further members joining the MatCHNet network and requesting further information (e.g. access to the ECHILD database and conversations with local authorities). The webinar videos are available online and this has resulted in increased engagement with our website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/events/
 
Description Maternal and Child Health Network (MatCHNet): Methods Workshops and Masterclass (2022/2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact MatCHNet ran three online interactive workshops to showcase natural experiment methods that can be used to evaluate policies in the early years (2022). Expert speakers led the discussion of study design, methods, and limitations. Around 30-40 different people attended each workshop. The events provided the space for networking between members as well as learning methodological skills that can be applied to evaluate early years policies. Connections and contact details were shared amongst academic colleagues and policymakers to continue conversations after the events. For example, attendees included members of Andrea Leadsom's Early Years Review Unit who were interested in continuing conversations around early years modelling. The Autumn 2022 programme covered several different natural experiment methods. In Summer 2023, MatCHNet held a methods masterclass on emulated targeted trials approach. This was well attended and the recording has been viewed over 100 times. Recordings and presentations slides have been made available as a legacy resource, along with a methods briefing report. The published briefing has been distributed widely to Network members, on the website and social media.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/methods/
 
Description Nuffield Research Placement Scheme and Celebration Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact MatCHNet hosted an S5 student for a 2 week placement in Summer 2023. The Scheme provides an opportunity for disadvantaged S5 students to engage in academic research. The student was tasked with reviewing the academic literature on child poverty and health, and gathering baseline information on welfare policies. This information will be valuable for future MatCHNet grant applications.
The main outcomes were a short report summarising the findings from the systematic reviews and data analysis. The student was also supported to produce a poster that was presented at a Scotland-wide Nuffield showcase event at the University of Glasgow Advanced Research Centre (ARC) (19th September 2023). This event was attended by c100 individuals and included the school students, placement mentors and the students' family/friends.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Nuffield Research Placement Scheme and Celebration Event (ES) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact MatCHNet hosted an S5 student for a 2 week placement in Summer 2023. The Scheme provides an opportunity for disadvantaged S5 students to engage in academic research. The student was tasked with reviewing the academic literature on child poverty and health, and gathering baseline information on welfare policies. This information will be valuable for future MatCHNet grant applications.

The main outcomes were a short report summarising the findings from the systematic reviews and data analysis. The student was also supported to produce a poster that was presented at a Scotland-wide Nuffield showcase event at the University of Glasgow Advanced Research Centre (ARC) (19th September 2023). This event was attended by c100 individuals and included the school students, placement mentors and the students' family/friends.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.nuffieldresearchplacements.org/
 
Description Organised Data Dive Event (May 2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact MatCHNet has identified three key challenges that must be tackled to provide the baseline knowledge and methodological foundation for cross-country analysis of national policies affecting child and maternal health. This Data Dive Event focused upon Challenge 2: To ascertain what administrative longitudinal data can be linked and harmonised across the 4 UK countries.

This event (consisting of two sessions) brought together 10 data experts from across the UK to discuss and map longitudinal and administrative data that links mothers and children. The group agreed on a common set of outcomes, examined data available across birth records (for mothers and babies), hospitalisation data, and health visiting data sources. Next, there was discussion to determine data availability across the 4 UK nations. The group also identified key factors to provide a basis for developing a template for detailed data mapping.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Perinatal mental health animation co-production workshops (2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Rosie Seaman led a series of workshops to co-produce a perinatal mental health animation that was based upon the perinatal timeline graphic from previous stakeholder workshops. The animation workshops (Summer/Autumn 2023) involved the co-production of a perinatal mental health animation with input from MatCHNet, University of Glasgow, Research Data Scotland and the Mental Health Foundation. The animation highlights perinatal mental health issues and focuses on the power of research data.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Perinatal mental health animation co-production workshops (2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Rosie Seaman led a series of workshops to co-produce a perinatal mental health animation that was based upon the perinatal timeline graphic from previous stakeholder workshops. The animation workshops (Summer/Autumn 2023) involved the co-production of a perinatal mental health animation with input from MatCHNet, University of Glasgow, Research Data Scotland and the Mental Health Foundation. The animation highlights perinatal mental health issues and focuses on the power of research data.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Perinatal mental health stakeholder workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Two stakeholder workshops were held together with experts maternity services, mental health, and data. Workshop 1 (November 2022) focused on stakeholders appraising available administrative data to identify knowledge gaps. A timeline of mental health was co-produced. Workshop 2 (February 2023) covered data analysis and data literacy knowledge exchange, revisiting the data properties grid, and priority setting. Workshop 1 was attended by representatives from: Mental Health Foundation, Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Network / Public Health England, Public Health Scotland, NHS Hull and East Yorks, National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland, London School of Economics, University of Dundee. Workshop 2 was attended by representatives from: Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Network / Public Health England, Public Health Scotland, Royal College of Midwives, NHS Health Visiting Education, NHS Hull and East Yorks, National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland, London School of Economics, MatCHNet.
The workshops identified 3 research priorities. Subsequent activities planned from the workshops include: 1. Developing the Perinatal Mental Health timeline graphic into a professional animation, including our survival analysis of the cohort data. 2. A stakeholder launch event for the animation to coincide with NHS Maternal Mental Health Week.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/pump-priming-funding/
 
Description Perinatal mental health stakeholder workshops (2022-2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Two stakeholder workshops were held together with experts maternity services, mental health, and data. Workshop 1 (November 2022) focused on stakeholders appraising available administrative data to identify knowledge gaps. A timeline of mental health was co-produced. Workshop 2 (February 2023) covered data analysis and data literacy knowledge exchange, revisiting the data properties grid, and priority setting. Workshop 1 was attended by representatives from: Mental Health Foundation, Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Network / Public Health England, Public Health Scotland, NHS Hull and East Yorks, National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland, London School of Economics, University of Dundee. Workshop 2 was attended by representatives from: Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Child and Maternal Health Intelligence Network / Public Health England, Public Health Scotland, Royal College of Midwives, NHS Health Visiting Education, NHS Hull and East Yorks, National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland, London School of Economics, MatCHNet.
The workshops identified 3 research priorities. Subsequent activities planned from the workshops include: 1. Developing the Perinatal Mental Health timeline graphic into a professional animation, including our survival analysis of the cohort data. 2. A stakeholder launch event for the animation to coincide with NHS Maternal Mental Health Week.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/pump-priming-funding/
 
Description Podcast interview for the Scottish Community Safety Network newsletter (and on Youtube) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Podcast interview about inequalities in unintentional injuries in children in Scotland, using administrative data
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation at ADR UK Conference 2023 (JG) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Joanne Given gave a presentation at the ADR conference (https://2023conference.adruk.org/). Her talk was entitled 'Medication use in Northern Ireland in early pregnancy: agreement between maternal self-report and prescribing records'. The paper aims to assess the agreement between medication data reported by the mother at the pregnancy booking interview and recorded by midwives in the Northern Ireland Maternity System (NIMATS) compared to dispensed prescription data recorded in the Enhanced Prescribing Database (EPD).

This is a national conference, and there were 30-40 people at the presentation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://2023conference.adruk.org/
 
Description Presentation of research at a Scottish Parliament launch event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact We presented findings (in the form of posters, leaflets, a short film, and face to face conversations) at a launch event for a related report, from the Health Foundation, at Scottish Parliament. Our findings were describing trends in inequalities in health arising from our report "Health Inequalities in Scotland: trends in deaths, health and wellbeing, health behaviours, and health services since 2000" and this briefing: "Maternal and Child Health Network Data Briefing 1: What Can We Learn about Child Health Inequalities with Data Linkage? A Scottish Example". These interactions prompted a request from Members of Scottish Parliament to arrange a visit at our department to discuss issues around health inequalities in more depth. This is being arranged for May 2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation to Regional Webinar, Northern Ireland Celebration of International Day of the Midwife (JG - 2021) 
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 Invited presentation to showcase MatCHNet and UKPRP to a regional webinar held to celebrate International Day of the Midwife on Wednesday 5 May 2021. This was organised by the NI Department of Health, in partnership with the Clinical Education Centre (CEC).

This was aimed at practitioners and organised by the Department of Health. It included several guest speakers including:
• Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health for Northern Ireland
• Professor Fran McConville, Midwifery Adviser, World Health Organisation
• Trude Thommessen, Northern Europe Region Representative, International Confederation of Midwives
• Professor Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer, Northern Ireland
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation to Society for Social Medicine and Population Health (ES) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Oral presentation to the Society for Social Medicine and Population Health outlining results from MatCHNet's policy mapping and prioritisation exercise. Audience included academics, postgraduate students as well as policymakers and practitioners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://jech.bmj.com/content/75/Suppl_1/A35.2
 
Description Prevention Research 2023 conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact We hosted the first ever Prevention Research conference which attracted 191 attendees. There was 29 different organisation represented at this event including local and national governments and third sector and advocacy organisations. Our development themes each held a session at the conference displaying the work they have been conducting. Each of the UKPRP funded groups also presented findings from their research programs. Membership and interest has increased massively since this event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://preventionresearch2023.stir.ac.uk/
 
Description Public engagement & co-production project with a primary school class in Clydebank 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Over the course of three days at a primary school in a deprived area of Glasgow we:
1) Used public engagement activities (Best Start in Life, HealthyVille and the social determinants wordsearch) to discuss population health research in general.
2) Introduced the class to an administrative cohort which we use in our research to understand child health. We used the public engagement game 'Data Detective' to talk about how and why we link and analyze adminstrative data. The class identified some research questions for us (the researchers) to go away and look at in the data
3) reported back to the class the preliminary results from the questions they had posed. The class made some graphs to summarise the findings and we played a game developed specifically for this activity - Population Health Top Trumps - to start discussions on what findings might be most important for supporting child health.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Research Data Scotland Public Engagement Fund Showcase event (Rosie Seaman, 2024) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Research Data Scotland ran an event to showcase projects supported by Research Data Scotland's Public Engagement Fund in 2023. Eight different projects were showcased at the event. Rosie Seaman presented her work on perinatal mental health (funded by MatCHNet) and showcased the perinatal mental health animation. Rosie talked about what she achieved during the project, who she worked with and how she went about the project. The event included breakout rooms to chat with the project leaders and ask questions about their work. The presentation is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOYeLJLw58k&t=26s
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.researchdata.scot/our-work/shaping-our-services/public-engagement/public-engagement-fund...
 
Description Scotland's First Minister visit to Clarice Pears Building (2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf visited Clarice Pears Building. The First Minister was interested in all of the School's health and inequalities research, in particular SHINE, MatCHNet, minimum unit pricing for alcohol, and GPs at the Deep End. "The School of Health and Wellbeing's research showcases the innovative thinking taking place at the University of Glasgow, which is typical of Scotland's world-class higher education institutions. The new Clarice Pears building adds tremendous value to the education and research being carried out at the university, creating a space for interaction between the university and local communities to address social and health inequalities."
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://twitter.com/theSPHSU/status/1662104435537985536
 
Description Stakeholder workshop, Cardiff (Mike Seabourne, 2023) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A stakeholder workshop was held in Cardiff mid-September. This was part of the MatCHNet funded pump priming project: Harmonisation of electronic birth cohort datasets. Born in: South London, Bradford, Scotland, Wales.
At the event, each site presented their cohorts, the data available for linkage, differences between their data and others, and what strengths and foci they can bring. They also presented prospective and current projects they will be/are working on which may be of interest for collaboration with the OMOP CDM.
A cohort profile paper was developed for discussion at this workshop. At the workshop, the outline of the paper was discussed in groups and designed collectively in view of finalising the content for potential publication. A protocol paper will also shortly be submitted to BMJ Open for publication.
At this event, a presentation was given on behalf of HDRUK about the options for sharing the work once complete and how other researchers might apply for access to the MIREDA collection. A discussion about central access to requesting our data and moving forward with uploading metadata to the healthcare gateway, and requests were made for additional training on how to do this.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://matchnet.sphsu.gla.ac.uk/pump-priming-funding/
 
Description Talk to Home Safety Scotland: Social inequalities in unintentional injury in young children in Scotland (and how to tackle them?) (AP) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Anna Pearce gave an invited talk about inequalities in unintentional injuries at Home Safety Scotland's network meeting.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Team science workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Our Improving collaborative research practices development theme held a workshop at the Prevention Research 2023 conference. This workshop sparked a lot of debate and the membership of this has increased as a result.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description The Institute for Lifecourse Development (University of Greenwich)Public Lecture Series 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Talk, "Early years' health and health inequalities in Scotland - examining administrative data through a lifecourse lens",
describing the 'administrative child cohort' that we've created and showcasing examples of how we can examine these data through a life course lens to further our understanding of children's health and health inequalities and inform policy and practice.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Welsh Government Flying Start internal presentations and roundtables (June - September 2023) - (MLZ) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The project team (pump priming project 2 - PI Meng Le Zhang) has held two structured meetings with members of the Early Years team and Knowledge and Analytical Services team within the Welsh Government. The purpose was to discuss the current state of knowledge about Flying Start, its theory of change, data sharing and to present early results. These events enabled the maintenance and development of relationships with a major stakeholder. And specifically data sharing and collaboration on data analysis between the project team and Welsh Government teams.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023