The National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) is a large scale audit of the NHS maternity services across England, Scotland and Wales. It began on 1st July 2016 and is currently commissioned until at least December 2027, though we hope to continue beyond this. Using timely, high quality data, the audit aims to evaluate a range of care processes and outcomes in order to identify good practice and areas for improvement in the care of women and babies looked after by NHS maternity services.
The Women and Families Involvement group serves to provide insight and accountability to the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit project team.
The group consists of up to ten lived experience members who have had experience of maternity services within the last three years.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form via the button below. Once completed, you will be emailed an equality and diversity monitoring form to complete.
If you have any questions about this role, need any support in completing this application, or need to access the form in a different format (for example, completing the form as a voice or video recording), please email womensvoices@rcog.org.uk or call 020 7772 6441.
Application deadline: tbc
Interview date: tbc
Role description
Lived Experience members for Women and Families Involvement Group (NMPA)
For the duration of the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit contract – currently to December 2027, but expected to continue
- Provide the lived experience perspective on the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, representing the views of women, birthing people and their partners with recent experience of maternity services
- Ensure that positive outcomes for the end users – women and families – remains a key focus of the work
- Provide feedback on materials related to the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit including providing comments from a lived experience perspective into final reports
- Advise on any additional patient and public involvement that may strengthen the project
- Patient and Public Involvement lead of the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit
- Project lead of the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit
- Other NMPA staff
- RCOG Patient and Public Involvement team
There will be 3-4 meetings a year. Meetings will be held on weekdays virtually using Microsoft Teams.
We would ask you to:
- Read agenda papers in advance of meetings
- Attend all meetings via Teams
- Actively participate in discussions during the meeting
- Bring wider insight from any groups you are involved with
Outside of meetings:
- Respond to ad hoc requests from the project team promptly via email when requested
- Provide comments and feedback on draft documents via email as requested
Where there are events associated with the project, such as for report launches or joint conferences, group members will be invited.
Person specification
Experience of using maternity services in the UK, or supporting/ advocating for someone who has (within the last 3 years).
We are also looking for at least one member with each of the following experiences (the same person can have more than one of these experiences):
- Admission of baby to neonatal care
- Caesarean birth
- Vaginal birth
- Instrumental birth
- Birth in a midwife-led unit
- Care from a consultant during pregnancy
- Partner of a woman or birthing person giving birth (male or female)
- Commitment to dedicate the necessary time for advisory group meetings
- Ability to interpret sometimes complex information
- Ability to listen to a wide range of views and contribute in a balanced and considered manner
Volunteering with the RCOG is a rich and rewarding experience which offers a range of professional and personal benefits:
- Professional recognition
- Build networks and friendships
- Career development
- Make meaningful change
- Wellbeing
What our volunteers say
"The College plays a huge role in the clinical practice of obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK and worldwide. To be part of that process was important to me"
"Involvement with the College is enjoyable and rewarding. The College's broad national and international perspectives make it a stimulating environment. Most of all, you'll have the pleasure of doing something worthwhile - helping your colleagues to help women"