Disparities in Access to the Northwest Ambulance Service during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period and its association with neonatal and maternal outcomes [DiAAS]: a retrospective cohort study and qualitative framework analysis

Background

This study will be the first UK-based study to investigate access to ambulance services for women and families from diverse backgrounds during pregnancy, birth and early postpartum period. The study will explore relevant maternal and infant outcomes for families who seek help from the ambulance service to explore health disparities in accessing urgent and emergency care. Findings from this study will inform local and national policy aimed at reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. This will contribute to the identification of access challenges experienced by seldom-heard women in a crucially important, but under investigated area of unscheduled urgent and emergency maternity care.

Methods

A mixed methods approach including two workpackages (WP). WP1 includes a retrospective comparative cohort study (WP1) to describe the characteristics of and outcomes for pregnant women and their neonates who are transferred via ambulance to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and those that are not. Descriptive statistics with comparative analyses will be presented. WP2 includes a qualitative framework analysis of a purposive sub-sample of routinely collected free-text digital records documented by paramedics for women who arrived at the unit via ambulance. Purposive sampling will be undertaken for women who are identified at an increased risk of poor maternal and/or neonatal outcomes following WP1 analyses. The patient journey will be mapped, and patient profiles constructed. An explanatory mixed methods approach will be undertaken for triangulation of data for insight.

Discussion

The study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of access to emergency maternity care to allow investigation of opportunities for alternative clinical decision making and review of current service provision. This also helps to identify women with increased risk factors for accessing urgent and emergency care as a gateway to maternity services. This will help to address timely access to the most appropriate services, reducing risk factors for adverse maternity and neonatal outcomes and associated impact upon the emergency services. Findings will be used to inform local and national interventions for at risk populations who access ambulance services during pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum. Findings will also support system conversations around the reasons for seeking help from the ambulance service in the perinatal period and ways to improve access and care provisions for underserved communities.

Study registration number

This study/project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) [Research for Patient Benefit NIHR206378]. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.