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The Moral Regime of Midwifery Continuity of Carer Implementation in England

Bibliographic Data

ID3505595
AuthorsAimee L Middlemi (0000-0001-9765-717X, School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Plymouth Plymouth UK, corresponding author), Susan Channon (Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Sue Channon (0000-0002-5394-1483, Cardiff University), Julia Sanders (0000-0001-5712-9989, School of Healthcare Sciences Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Heather Strange (0000-0002-5758-8445, Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Rebecca Milton (0000-0003-4135-094X, Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Simone Kenyon (0000-0002-0756-9617, University of Birmingham), Sara Kenyon (School of Health Sciences University of Birmingham Birmingham UK), Tina Prendeville (Women's Health Research Centre Imperial College London & Imperial College NHS Trust London UK), Susan Barry (0000-0001-6189-8887, Division of Women's Children's and Clinical Support Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London UK), Aled Jones (0000-0002-2921-8236, School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Plymouth Plymouth UK)
Year2025
Volume47
Issue8
Pagese70087-e70087
Publication date2025-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.70087
PMID40990203
OpenAlexW4414475204
LanguageEN
References cited32

Since 2016, the National Health Service (NHS) in England has been aiming to implement midwifery continuity of carer (MCoC), a model of maternity care in which the same midwife or small group of midwives provides antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for women, other birthing people and their babies. However, the implementation has faced significant difficulties. As part of a wider investigation into barriers to and facilitators of MCoC implementation, we carried out qualitative interviews with senior stakeholders involved in the implementation of MCoC at regional or national level in England. In this paper, we present an analysis of sociocultural values in the accounts of these stakeholders. We find these expert accounts of MCoC implementation are underpinned by a 'moral regime' which privileges certain norms and practices whilst deterring others. These accounts produce an idealised midwife-subject who is passionate and evangelical about MCoC as a form of care and seeks to persuade others to their cause, including through the use of evidence. We conclude with some thoughts about the range of possible consequences produced by this moral regime regarding the implementation of MCoC as a maternity policy in the English NHS, and the role of moral regimes in healthcare politics

Healthcare innovation and challenges · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Primary Care and Health Outcomes

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Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
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