Preparatory PPI work to apply for NIHR RfPB funding to develop and refine the Social Model of Baby Hubs

What is the problem?

The first 1001 days of a child’s life is a critical period in which they are uniquely susceptible to their environment and the relationships that they form with their caregivers; however, the early weeks and months with a baby can be an emotionally challenging time for parents (see Parent Infant Foundation for summary).

Health visitors are uniquely placed to support parents to navigate the challenges of early parenting and ‘drop in’ baby clinics are potentially a valuable source of immediate support for new parents. However, despite the widespread presence of health visitor led baby clinics across the UK, there is little published research about the service model, its purpose or effectiveness and no national or professional guidance currently exists on their model of delivery (Webb 2016).

Recognising the importance of the psycho-social support that new parents seek and the potential to improve child health outcomes through parenting support, Sirona have transformed their baby clinics to a more relationally focussed, social model described in a systematic review of child health clinics (Webb 2016).

This aligns with the many of the priority areas for health that the ICB have identified perhaps most importantly being the reduction of health inequalities in marginalised groups.

Funding is now needed to explore if a social model of baby clinic is meeting the needs of new parents and children in marginalised groups who are less likely to access them, and who currently have worse health outcomes as a result

What is the aim of the research?

The aim of the proposed NIHR research is to build on the early evaluation of the relationship-focused baby clinics that are now being provided by Sirona, to establish their role in reducing inequalities in access to such services and improvement in health outcomes of marginalised groups for groups and communities who are under-served.

How will Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB RCF be used?

The proposed developmental work will include significant public and patient involvement (PPI) and key stakeholder engagement. Specifically, the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB RCT funding would be used as follows:

To conduct a clinical audit of routinely collected data for the Sirona Baby Clinics over the past year in terms of the user demographics (note: this data is collected by Sirona and can be shared by the applicant for the purposes of this preparatory PPI work without additional costs being incurred).
To undertake service-led discussions with those identified in the above audit about the current provision of Baby Clinics and the local barriers and facilitators to uptake and continued use;
To undertake service led observations of the baby clinics serving the most marginalised populations of new parents in the region being served by the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB to explore further the way in which the time and space are utilised by both practitioners and families;
And to identify a small group of parents who would like to be involved in the co-design of both future Baby Clinic services in the region, and/or be co-participants in the eventual NIHR application.

Who is leading the research?

The research is being led by Dr Joanne Webb, Lead for Infant Feeding and Perinatal and Infant Mental Health at Sirona Care and Health.

Further information

For more information or to get involved in this project, please contact bnssg.research@nhs.net.