Researchers from the University of Aberdeen have been selected to lead workstreams in a landmark research project that could transform maternal health care.
Funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by the Universities of Newcastle and Birmingham, the NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium will unite higher education, NHS, community and voluntary organisations to close the most critical gaps in maternal care.
The NIHR has committed £50 million over five years to drive forward the vital research led by clinicians, researchers, and communities across the consortium marking the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation.
This 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.
The UK Government's renewed Women's Health Strategy highlights the need to improve care before and between pregnancies for marginalised communities. Against this backdrop, the consortium will generate the evidence, interventions and research capacity needed to help translate national ambition into practical, equitable improvements for women, babies and families.
Dr Mairead Black, Reader at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at NHS Grampian will co-lead the branch of the project that will tackle ‘Racism, discrimination and intersectionality’ in maternal health care. Dr Anita Laidlaw will also support the work through development of educational resources to support delivery of new interventions in the consortium and the Grampian Regional Equality Council will also support the work, providing a crucial public perspective during the research and in sharing the findings. Dr Andrea Woolner, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Early Pregnancy Lead for NHS Grampian will support capacity-building in the consortium.
Dr Mairead Black explains the importance of the research and how it will tackle the issues surrounding maternal care in the UK. She said: “Mortality rates amongst Black pregnant women are three times as high as for White women, and mortality rates for Black newborns are double those of White newborns. The reasons for these differences are not biological, but reflect a combination of structural and interpersonal discrimination, including racism, that results in ethnic minority communities having worse health outcomes.
“Women from low-income households and women with disabilities also have poorer maternity care experiences that must be addressed.
“In this Consortium we aim to provide evidence to reduce these inequalities. We will work with the wider consortium team to improve care before, during and after pregnancy. We aim to both support staff directly and to ensure accountability mechanisms are in place to encourage organisations to tackle discrimination.
“This research consortium is a landmark step towards addressing maternity inequalities in UK maternity care.
Professor Judith Rankin OBE, Consortium Co-lead for Research and Capacity Development, Newcastle University said: “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”.
Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Consortium Co-lead for Research, University of Birmingham added: “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.”