Application to be a Lay Member for the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS) Steering Group

Are you a parent with an interest in midwife-led maternity care? Were you interested in giving birth in a midwifery unit? Do you often talk to pregnant women and their families about their options for place of birth? Would you like to contribute to research in this area?

The UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS) is looking for another parent member to join its Steering Group and provide the maternity service user perspective on its research programme.

UKMidSS was launched in 2015. Our team carries out national observational studies and surveys of practice in midwifery units in the UK.

Over the past 8 years we have investigated a range of different topics relevant to care in midwifery units. This includes: outcomes for women with higher BMI admitted to alongside midwifery units, differences in midwifery unit admission criteria across the UK, and outcomes for women admitted to a midwifery unit following a postpartum haemorrhage in a previous pregnancy. We’re currently investigating outcomes for women who are aged over 40 and admitted to a midwifery unit (rather than an obstetric unit or labour ward) for labour care and have other studies planned. 

We have two parent (lay) members on the UKMidSS Steering Group along with researchers, obstetricians and midwives. One of our current lay members has reached the end of their term (all members serve for a maximum of 6 years) so we are seeking a replacement.  

The Steering Group meets three times a year (either face-to-face in Oxford or online) and provides overall strategic direction and governance for the programme, monitoring progress of ongoing studies and planning future studies.

Lay members receive payment for their time in preparing for and attending meetings, using NIHR rates. Travel and any other expenses (e.g. childcare costs) associated with attending meetings are also paid. Past members of the Steering Group are available as mentors.

We’re looking for someone who is interested in getting involved with research and has experience of some or all of the following:

• Supporting and working closely with pregnant women/parents from different social and/or ethnic backgrounds
• Membership of a Maternity Voices Partnership
• Experience of working with different professional groups in maternity services
• Experience of committee work (local or national)

The closing date for applications is Friday 17th January 2025.

You can apply here