J Jardine1,2, S Relph1,3, L A Magee3, P von Dadelszen3, E Morris1,4, M Ross-Davie5, T Draycott1, A Khalil6,7. 1. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK. 2. Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. 3. Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK. 4. Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK. 5. Royal College of Midwives, London, UK. 6. Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. 7. Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the modifications to maternity services across the UK, in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in the context of the pandemic guidance issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and NHS England. DESIGN: National survey. SETTING: UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Healthcare professionals working within maternity services. METHODS: A national electronic survey was developed to investigate local modifications to general and specialist maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of the contemporaneous national pandemic guidance. After a pilot phase, the survey was distributed through professional networks by the RCOG and co-authors. The survey results were presented descriptively in tabular and graphic formats, with proportions compared using chi-square tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Service modifications made during the pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 81 respondent sites, 42% of the 194 obstetric units in the UK, were included. They reported substantial and heterogeneous maternity service modifications. Seventy percent of units reported a reduction in antenatal appointments and 56% reported a reduction in postnatal appointments; 89% reported using remote consultation methods. A change to screening pathways for gestational diabetes mellitus was reported by 70%, and 59% had temporarily removed the offer of births at home or in a midwife-led unit. A reduction in emergency antenatal presentations was experienced by 86% of units. CONCLUSIONS: This national survey documents the extensive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternity services in the UK. More research is needed to understand the impact on maternity outcomes and experience. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: A national survey showed that UK maternity services were modified extensively and heterogeneously in response to COVID-19.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the modifications to maternity services across the UK, in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in the context of the pandemic guidance issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and NHS England. DESIGN: National survey. SETTING: UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Healthcare professionals working within maternity services. METHODS: A national electronic survey was developed to investigate local modifications to general and specialist maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of the contemporaneous national pandemic guidance. After a pilot phase, the survey was distributed through professional networks by the RCOG and co-authors. The survey results were presented descriptively in tabular and graphic formats, with proportions compared using chi-square tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Service modifications made during the pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 81 respondent sites, 42% of the 194 obstetric units in the UK, were included. They reported substantial and heterogeneous maternity service modifications. Seventy percent of units reported a reduction in antenatal appointments and 56% reported a reduction in postnatal appointments; 89% reported using remote consultation methods. A change to screening pathways for gestational diabetes mellitus was reported by 70%, and 59% had temporarily removed the offer of births at home or in a midwife-led unit. A reduction in emergency antenatal presentations was experienced by 86% of units. CONCLUSIONS: This national survey documents the extensive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternity services in the UK. More research is needed to understand the impact on maternity outcomes and experience. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: A national survey showed that UK maternity services were modified extensively and heterogeneously in response to COVID-19.
Authors: Sergio A Silverio; Kaat De Backer; Tisha Dasgupta; Ofelia Torres; Abigail Easter; Nina Khazaezadeh; Daghni Rajasingam; Ingrid Wolfe; Jane Sandall; Laura A Magee Journal: EClinicalMedicine Date: 2022-05-29
Authors: Barbara Chmielewska; Imogen Barratt; Rosemary Townsend; Erkan Kalafat; Jan van der Meulen; Ipek Gurol-Urganci; Pat O'Brien; Edward Morris; Tim Draycott; Shakila Thangaratinam; Kirsty Le Doare; Shamez Ladhani; Peter von Dadelszen; Laura Magee; Asma Khalil Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2021-03-31 Impact factor: 26.763
Authors: Luigi Carbone; Antonio Raffone; Antonio Travaglino; Laura Sarno; Alessandro Conforti; Olimpia Gabrielli; Valentino De Vivo; Martina De Rosa; Sonia Migliorini; Gabriele Saccone; Mariavittoria Locci; Carlo Alviggi; Antonio Mollo; Maurizio Guida; Fulvio Zullo; Giuseppe Maria Maruotti Journal: Arch Gynecol Obstet Date: 2021-08-29 Impact factor: 2.344
Authors: Rosemary Townsend; Barbara Chmielewska; Imogen Barratt; Erkan Kalafat; Jan van der Meulen; Ipek Gurol-Urganci; Pat O'Brien; Edward Morris; Tim Draycott; Shakila Thangaratinam; Kirsty Le Doare; Shamez Ladhani; Peter von Dadelszen; Laura A Magee; Asma Khalil Journal: EClinicalMedicine Date: 2021-06-19