Get involved in the review of our midwife-led units

Find out about our midwife-led unit review

During the summer of 2017 we carried out a review of midwife-led unit (MLUs) services across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

What services were reviewed?

There are a range of community services available through midwife-led units provided by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust. Antenatal, Birth, and Postnatal care are provided from midwife-led units in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Telford. The Trust also provides Antenatal, Postnatal and Home birth care in Market Drayton and Whitchurch.

To find out more about local maternity services please visit https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wards-services/az-services/maternity/.

The review looked at how the midwife-led services meet the needs of local families and fulfil national guidelines.

Our review is split into several phases:

Phase one - COMPLETE: Phase one of our review involved a desktop exercise where we collected information about the MLU service. This included gathering information from a range of organisations about the current service as well as looking at national guidance and best practice. It also involved collecting existing feedback from local stakeholders.
Phase two - COMPLETE: During Phase two of our review, we gathered new, more detailed, information by asking local people for their feedback. We commissioned ELC Works, a specialist organisation, to hold in-depth interviews with women, their families and staff who use and work in or with the midwife-led units. Their feedback was used to help us better understand what is working well and what can be improved.
Phase three - IN PROGRESS: As part of Phase three we held a series of co-design workshops in September and October across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. Women, their families, professionals and others with an interest in these services came together to discuss what the future service model could look like.

Thank you for taking part in our workshops and helping to share your experiences. All of your feedback has been used alongside our phase one and phase two data to help us shape future services. Using all the information gathered a new model of care has been proposed.

Next steps

At the moment no decisions have been made although a proposed model of care has been developed and this can be viewed here: MLU Review Proposed Changes Summary, along with a set of Question and Answers.

ELC Works, the company directing the engagement activity on behalf of the CCGs, have provided specialist analysis of local feedback which has been the principal input influencing the proposed model of care. A copy of the report can be accessed here.

The proposed model was presented to all those who helped to shape it on 30th November and 1st December, and shared electronically with those who were unable to join us. It will be shared and discussed at the midwife-led services programme board and with future Governing Body meetings. We will continue to give regular updates on our website.

Further information

For more information on how to get involved in this review, or to share your experiences of maternity services please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..