Background: The national health care response to coronavirus
(COVID-19) has varied between countries. The United Kingdom (UK) and the
Netherlands (NL) have comparable maternity and neonatal care systems,
and experienced similar numbers of COVID-19 infections, but had
different organisational responses to the pandemic. Understanding why
and how similarities and differences occurred in these two contexts
could inform optimal care in normal circumstances, and during future
crises. Aim: To compare the UK and Dutch COVID-19 maternity and
neonatal care responses in three key domains: choice of birthplace,
companionship, and families in vulnerable situations. Method: A
multi-method study, including documentary analysis of national
organisation policy and guidance on COVID-19, and interviews with
national and regional stakeholders. Findings: Both countries
had an infection control focus, with less emphasis on the impact of
restrictions. Differences included care providers’ fear of contracting
COVID-19; the extent to which personalised care was embedded in the care
system before the pandemic; and how far multidisciplinary collaboration
and service-user involvement were prioritised. Conclusion: We
recommend that countries should 1) make a systematic plan for crisis
decision-making before a serious event occurs, and that this must
include authentic service-user involvement, multidisciplinary
collaboration, and protection of staff wellbeing 2) integrate women’s
and families’ values into the maternity and neonatal care system,
ensuring equitable inclusion of the most vulnerable and 3) strengthen
community provision to ensure system wide resilience to future shocks
from pandemics, or other unexpected large-scale events.
Service user involvement in pre-registration children’s nursing education: the impact and influence on practice: a case study on the student perspective
