Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium brings together universities, NHS organisations, community groups and voluntary sector partners from all four UK nations. With £50 million of funding over five years, this is one of the biggest investments in maternity inequalities research in a generation.

Led by Newcastle University and the University of Birmingham, the programme will focus on building evidence and developing practical solutions to reduce differences in maternity care before, during and after pregnancy.

NWAS is a partner in the consortium. Our Consultant Midwife, Steph Heys co-leading the Maternal Access to Care and Experience (M-ACE) theme. This part of the programme looks at how women access maternity services, what barriers they face, and how care can be improved so that women and families, especially those from underserved communities, have better experiences and outcomes.

Our involvement reflects NWAS’ commitment to research and development as a key part of improving services and patient care. Working with universities, NHS partners and communities, our Research Team is helping to build the evidence needed to tackle some of the biggest health challenges facing the population today.

Being part of NIHR-supported research like this also strengthens our role in both regional and national research. It shows the importance of partnership working in creating evidence that can shape policy, improve services, and help reduce health inequalities across the NHS.

By working alongside leading universities, healthcare organisations and community partners, we’re helping to ensure ambulance services have a meaningful role in shaping research and turning findings into real improvements for patients, families and communities.

The programme comes at an important time for maternity services, with national focus on improving safety, reducing inequalities, and making sure all women receive high-quality, equitable care.

The consortium will cover a number of key areas, including care before and between pregnancies, outcomes during pregnancy and birth, postnatal support, access to services, tackling discrimination and racism in healthcare, and strengthening how communities are involved in research.

By bringing our expertise in maternity pathways, urgent and emergency care, and health inequalities, NWAS will help ensure the research leads to real, practical improvements in services and supports fairer maternity care across the UK.

Consultant Midwife, Steph Heys says, “Ambulance services play an important role in understanding how women and families access urgent and emergency maternity care, particularly where there are barriers to timely support.

“Being part of the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium allows us to bring an ambulance service perspective into national research and help develop practical solutions that improve access, experience and outcomes for women and families, especially those from underserved communities.”

Paramedic and Senior Research Fellow Kieran Potts says, “As a research-active NHS trust, it’s vital that we play a leading role in national programmes such as the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium. Supporting this work enables us to contribute to the evidence base that drives meaningful improvements in care and outcomes for patients and communities.

“Steph’s leadership within the Consortium ensures that an ambulance service perspective is embedded in this work, strengthening both its relevance and its impact.”

The NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium brings together clinicians, researchers, women, families and communities to develop evidence-based solutions that reduce avoidable harm and improve outcomes for mothers, babies and families.

For more information about the NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium, visit the consortium website.