Keele has joined forces with other regional universities to tackle inequalities in maternal healthcare across the West Midlands. 

Nine UK universities have been selected to make up the new NIHR Challenge Maternity Disparities Consortium, with the aim of tackling inequalities in maternity outcomes across the UK, with Keele named as a partner in the West Midlands regional hub led by the University of Birmingham. 

The research carried out by the consortium will focus on inequalities before, during and after pregnancy, and will also focus on building capacity for further research to help improve services over time.  

It will help support professionals who plan and deliver services for women and babies across both health and social care, with Keele experts involved in the consortium including consultant obstetricians Professor Pensee Wu and Professor William Parry-Smith, who also practice clinically in North Staffordshire and Shropshire hospitals. 

Professor Pensee Wu said: “I am delighted about this fantastic opportunity for us at Keele to contribute towards reducing inequalities in maternity and make a positive impact on maternal health.” 

Professor William Parry-Smith added: “I’m pleased to be leading Keele’s contribution to this nationally important work. Research and capacity building undertaken by the consortium will tackle the problem of maternity disparities. We have the opportunity in the West Midlands to understand and to then make a real difference crucially to improving maternity outcomes.” 

Judith Rankin, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at Newcastle University, has been appointed as the Consortium co-Lead for Research and Capacity Development. Joht Singh Chandan, Clinical Professor of Public Health at the University of Birmingham, has been appointed as the Consortium co-Lead for Research.   

Professor Chandan added: “I am honoured to take on the role of co-lead for the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium. Tackling inequalities in maternity care is a critical priority, and this consortium brings together a wealth of expertise to drive meaningful change. 

“Our goal is to address disparities before, during, and after pregnancy by focusing on research that leads to real improvements in care for families and their babies across the UK. I am particularly looking forward to learning from and working alongside the communities most affected by these inequalities, ensuring that their insights shape our work and lead to lasting, impactful solutions." 

Each consortium member is receiving some initial funding to build relationships with charities, the life sciences industry and patient groups with relevant expertise, and throughout the project will be working with local councils, NHS trusts, charities, industry and other health organisations.  

Once these relationships have been established, the consortium will decide on research topics. A key aim is to ensure the research can lead to measurable improvements in care and outcomes before, during and after pregnancy.   

The consortium will also have a long-term goal of supporting the next generation of research leaders in maternal health and care, which will allow ongoing research to improve care for women and babies for years to come.