£50 Million Investment to Transform Maternal Health through Pioneering Research with CDHN co-leading the ‘Working with Communities’ core function

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has committed £50 million over five years to drive forward the vital research led by clinicians, researchers, and communities across the Maternity Disparities Consortium marking the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation. 

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for maternity care in the UK, with national attention increasingly focused on improving safety, equity and women's experiences of care. 

CDHN is a partner in the Maternity Dispartities Consortium co-leading the ‘Working with Communities’ core function and supporting the ‘Before and Between Pregnancy Theme’  Working alongside Queen’s University Belfast, Groundwork London, the Public Health Agency, and the University of Sheffield, CDHN will help ensure that community voices and lived experiences shape the research. 

Helen McNamee, CDHN Research and Policy Manager and Co-lead for Community Engagement and Co-production commented: “We are delighted to be part of the Maternity Disparities Consortium, giving us the opportunity to contribute to research that will help tackle maternal health inequalities.

"Working alongside voluntary and community sector organisations, communities and people with lived experience, to shape research we hope to improve lives of women, babies and families in Northern Ireland and across the UK.  We would also like to extend our thanks to the many community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland who have contributed to this work so far, we look forward to engaging with you again as further opportunities arise.” 

“This funding represents a critical opportunity to make the step change we need to improve outcomes for women and their babies. Alongside the research, the Consortium will be investing in tomorrow's research leaders today to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on improving pregnancy outcomes, access to, and experience of, care”, says Professor Judith Rankin OBE, Consortium Co-lead for Research and Capacity Development, Newcastle University. 

“National attention on maternity safety and equity has never been greater, but ambition must now be matched by evidence and implementation. Through this consortium, we will work across the UK to understand what works, for whom and in what contexts, and to ensure that 

research leads to practical changes in care for the women, babies and families who need them most,” says Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Consortium Co-lead for Research, University of Birmingham. 

Key areas of research within the project are: 

Before and between pregnancies (Preconception and Interpregnancy care) 

The consortium will examine how women and families can be better supported before pregnancy and between pregnancies. This includes improving access to advice and care that can help people prepare for pregnancy, manage existing health conditions and reduce risks before they build up. 

Pregnancy, birth and early recovery after birth 

Research will focus on improving care during pregnancy, birth and the early weeks after birth. This will include work on major causes of poor maternal health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes in pregnancy, obesity, perinatal mental health and complications during recovery after birth. 

Care for babies and families after birth 

The consortium will develop and test better ways to support babies and families who are at higher risk of poor outcomes. This includes improving follow up care after birth, strengthening links between hospital and community services, and supporting families as they move from maternity and neonatal care into longer term child and family support. 

Access, communication and experience of care 

The programme will look at how services can be easier to access, easier to understand and more responsive to women and families. This includes improving communication, language support, shared decision making and the overall experience of care, particularly for those who are least well served by current systems. 

Tackling racism, discrimination and unfairness 

The consortium will ensure that research directly addresses racism, discrimination and other forms of unfairness that affect maternity care and outcomes. This will be built into how interventions are designed, delivered and evaluated. 

Working with communities 

Women, families and community organisations will help shape the research from the beginning. The consortium will work with peer researchers, charities and community partners to make sure the work reflects real experiences and is useful to the people most affected by maternity inequalities. 

Using data and evidence to drive change 

The programme will use data, digital tools, health economics and real-world evaluation to understand what works, for whom and in what circumstances. This will help identify practical changes that can be delivered fairly and scaled across different parts of the UK.   

Find out more about Maternity Disparities Consortium here.

Follow the Maternity Disparities Consortium on Linkedin