The United Kingdom and the Netherlands maternity care responses to COVID-19: a comparative study

• DOI: 10.22541/au.163821302.20595565/v1
• Publication Date: 2021-11-29T19:10:27Z
• Authors: Lauri van den Berg; Marie-Clare Balaam; Rebecca Nowland; Gill Moncrieff; Anastasia Topalidou; Suzanne Thompson; Gill Thomson; Ank de Jonge; Soo Downe
• Keywords: Pandemic

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