Midwifery-led units (MUs) are recommended for ‘low-risk’ births by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence but according to the National Audit Office were not available in one-quarter of trusts in England in 2013 and, when available, were used by only a minority of the low-risk women for whom they should be suitable. This mixed methods study explores why.
Reference: Walsh, D; Spiby, H., McCourt, C., Grigg, C., Coleby, D., Bishop, S., Scanlon, M., Culley, L.. Wilkinson, J. Pacanowski, L. Thornton, J. Factors influencing the utilisation of free-standing and alongside midwifery units in England: A Qualitative Research Study. BMJ Open, March 2020.
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