MW0521 - Continuity of Care: Leadership and Collaboration

What will I learn on this module?

This module will develop your understanding of continuity of care within midwifery practice and the leadership and collaboration skills required to meet the Future Midwife Standards (NMC 2019).

You will explore and analyse the evidence base which informs differing models (SPM 2.2, SPM 2.3) of care including continuity- identifying opportunities and challenges (SPM 5.19). You will reflect on and critique the application of health policy within the maternity services with a specific focus on the personalised care agenda (SPM1.22) and what this means for women and midwives. You will also consider health policy outside the UK and global maternal and neonatal health. Debates about the place of birth will be developed with reflection on practice experience and the place of professional bias and advocacy in facilitating choice (SMPRMP 5.3). Human rights (SPM 1.3) and ethics which inform health care provision and how these are applied to informed choice, consent and shared decision making will be explored. Inclusive practice will be examined, and cultural awareness developed further to address inequalities in women’s experiences and outcomes (SPM 1.8., SPM 1.9, SPM 1.15, SPM 1.16., SPM 2.12) Perspectives on inequality such as critical theory and feminism will inform your learning (SPM 1.17.1),

The principles of leadership from a personal, professional, and organisational perspective will be discussed with a focus on working with others and building effective working practices and relationships (SPM 2.4, SPM 2.5, SPM 5.8, SPM 5.20)) within and across professional boundaries (SPM 2.8, SPM 2.11). How organisations and individuals can manage change to improve the quality (SPM5.1, SPM 5.9, SPM 5.11) of services will also be explored with a focus on collaborative models of stakeholder and the service user engagement (SPM 2.8, in leading, planning, evaluating and improving services.

You will reflect on emotional intelligence and apply sociological and psychological theories to effective communication and relationship building (SPM 2.7, SPM 3.3, SPM 5.13.2). Effective communication will also include consideration of how to share information with women and perspectives on health education and parent education (SPM3.8, particularly for vulnerable or perceived disengaged groups such as young fathers (SPM 3.17.3. These approaches will further develop your awareness of self as a communicator and how to build capability through strength-based feedback (SPM 5.13.5) and information sharing.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through a combination of lectures seminars and directed study. Activities will be blended to create a mix of face to face and online activities supported by the University’s Electronic Learning Platform (eLP). Seminars will be smaller group sessions designed to facilitate collaborative team learning developing your inquiry and communication skills and signpost further reading and learning activities. Again, women and families’ voices and experiences will be integral to learning activities within the module. A fundamental aspect of learning on the module will come from learning with your midwifery peers and those from other professional groups. The focus on working with others is the rationale for the group project presentation which forms 30% of the assessment for this module. You will work collaboratively with a small group of peers on an improvement project supported by the module team. You will present the project during an identified seminar towards the end of the module and receive feedback and a group mark. There will then be an opportunity to reflect on your learning form this exercise and on the module outcomes in an individual written essay worth 70% of the module mark. Inter professional learning opportunities with other health and social care students will develop your communication and team working skills as well as an understanding of the roles of others. Peer learning and feedback opportunities will also enable you to reflect on the skills and attributes required to engage women, fathers/partners and family members and build positive relationships.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The academic staff involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic counselling to ensure that you are able to confidently engage with the module content. Learning materials, including directed and e-learning will be made available on the eLP. Seminars will form an opportunity for lecturer and peer support and feedback throughout the module. Formative feedback will be available to enable you to review your learning in a safe and supportive environment, and a group tutorial will further support preparation for the module assessment.

The student support and wellbeing service at Northumbria are excellent points of contact for assistance for queries regarding disability, faith, counselling, mental health support, finance and welfare issues. You can access these services via email on your student portal, by telephone or through the help desk staff based within university libraries.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1) Debate and discuss a range of approaches and perspectives which inform continuity of care reflecting the legal and ethical expectations of midwives.

2) Discuss the principles of leadership and working with others as applied to the provision of effective seamless care within and across professional/organisational boundaries.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3) Appraise approaches to building capability in parents which is sensitive to diverse needs and challenges inequalities.
4) Critique approaches to change and service improvement within midwifery valuing the role of stakeholders in enabling quality measurement and enhancement.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5) Review and present the interpersonal skills required to build effective enabling relationships with women, families and other professionals

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment

Formative assessment and feedback will be provided by academic staff and peers throughout the module in relation to the group activities you will engage in to develop understanding of the module outcomes and content.

Summative assessment

1) 2500 word essay MLO 1,2,3,4,5 (100%)

Feedback through ESAF platform via marking rubric and qualitative feedforward comments

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This second-year module builds on your year one learning and practice experience. The focus on continuity of care is broadened and deepened as you apply concepts such as human rights and ethical frameworks to midwifery practice. Leadership and change management are introduced to your learning and you will continue to make use of a range of evidence to support your learning. There is a continued focus on enabling relationship and building capability through for example parent education. The module will be assessed through a collaborative improvement project and a 1500-word essay which will develop your team working skills and prepare you for future practice as a midwife.

Course info

UCAS Code B725

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time (45 weeks per year)

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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