Studying Implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer (SIMCA)

Understanding different rates of progress with Midwifery Continuity of Carer implementation in the NHS in England
Newborn baby little hand hold by adult man hand of his father
Studying Implementation of Midwifery Continuity of Carer (SIMCA) is a research study funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research. The study aims to better understand different rates of progress with Midwifery Continuity of Carer implementation in the NHS in England.
University of Plymouth lead the study, with the rest of the team spread across Cardiff University, University of Birmingham, Imperial College London, Imperial NHS Trust, Tommy's Baby Charity and The Mosaic Community Trust. 
Hand of unknown obstetrician touches big belly of pregnant woman during visit at home

Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCoC)

During pregnancy, labour and early motherhood, most women receive care from different midwives. NHS England is seeking to ensure that most women are cared for by the same midwife throughout whilst supported by a small team of midwives to cover off-duty periods. This model of care is called Midwifery Continuity of Carer (MCoC). This study proposes to evaluate the implementation and delivery of MCoC in England.  
 

National and regional stakeholder interviews

Participate in this study

Why is this research being carried out? 

MCoC can lead to improvements in the safety and quality of maternity care, and can increase midwives' job satisfaction, but it can also increase job-related stress and unsociable working hours. Most midwives support the idea of MCoC, but progress implementing MCoC is mixed; it is progressing well in some Trusts, but in many it is delayed, paused or yet to start. 
The research is being carried out to explore the factors influencing the implementation of MCoC in England, and to examine differences in how MCoC implementation has been operationalised, sustained, and experienced. 
The results of this study will inform discussions about how future changes to maternity services are implemented and managed and your views are crucial to this.

What does being a participant involve?

National and regional stakeholders
  • Take part in online interviews with our researchers. 
Maternity services providers
  • Take part in our anonymous online survey if you are in one of our case study sites. 
  • If you are based at one of our study sites, you can share your experiences and thoughts on MCoC in an online or face-to-face interview with our researchers. You can discuss as much or as little of your experience as you want. Any identifiable data from your interview will be removed.
Maternity service users
  • If you have experience of pregnancy at one of our study sites you can take part in an interview with our researchers, either online or face-to-face. You can discuss as much or as little of your experience as you want. Any identifiable data from your interview will be removed.

Primary objectives

  • 3Critically appraise the international literature to understand the contexts and factors contributing to the success and challenges of MCoC implementation

  • 3Rigorously evaluate how implementation decisions have been operationalised, sustained and experienced in nine case study sites representing contrasting progress with MCoC implementation

  • 3Describe and explore the role played by key national and regional stakeholders in MCoC implementation decisions and progress

  • 3Synthesise the findings of objectives 1 to 3 to identify various approaches to MCoC implementation, the key implementation factors and relationships, and any discernible patterns between implementation factors and routinely reported MCoC outcomes

  • 3Disseminate recommendations throughout the project timeline to inform ongoing implementation of MCoC in England and contribute to debates about future changes to maternity services