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What will I learn on this module?
This module explores complex issues around ill health and their influence on childbearing and maternity care and encourages a critical appraisal of health policy and the evidence base for practice. You will examine complexity in relation to the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of women and families, and the role of the midwife as the co-ordinator of care. You will develop confidence and competence around effective collaborative working and inter-disciplinary practice in relation to complex cases, building capability as you approach qualification. The content of this module gives you the knowledge that you will require to confidently to identify and respond to the additional care needs of women and families. This content is;
• Public health policy relating to maternity care (SPM 1.17.1, SPM 1.17.2, SPM 2.12, SPM 3.2, SPM 3.3, SPM 3.5)
• Perinatal mental health: more complex conditions (contributing to Proficiencies in Domain 6, e.g., SPM 6.71.11, SPM 6.81, SPM 6.56)
• Bereavement, end of life care (contributing to Proficiencies in Domain 6, e.g., SPM 6.69.7, SPM 6.80.6)
• Vulnerability: parenting (SPM 3.9, child and adult protection, human rights, substance misuse; promoting capability in vulnerable women and families (SPM 1.10, SPM 1.13, SPM 1.16, SPM 1.17.3, SPM 2.6, SPM 2.7, SPM 2.8, SPM3.1, SPM 3.7, SPM 3.17.3, SPM 4.4.5)
• Inter-disciplinary collaboration in complex circumstances: care/support/referral, human factors (SPM 1.6, SPM 3.24, SPM 5.8)
• Safer births, birth outside of guidelines (SPM 4.1, SPM 4.2, SPM 4.3, SPM 4. 8, SPM 4.10, SPM 5.2, SPM 5.7)
• Promoting non-discriminatory care, reasonable adjustment (SPM 1.8, SPM 3.22, SPM 3.27, SPM 5.3)
• Legal and ethical frameworks for professional practice in complex cases (SPM 1.2, SPM 1.3, SPM 1.21)
How will I learn on this module?
The module consists of complex and challenging topics relating to maternity care. You will learn primarily through a series of interactive seminars and debates, which require you to prepare beforehand and play an active part in. Module activities will be blended to create a mix of face to face and online activities supported by the University’s Electronic Learning Platform, the seminars are designed to challenge you and to facilitate effective collaboration, developing your inquiry, critical appraisal, and communication skills, and signposting you to further reading and learning activities. Interactive peer learning is a fundamental aspect of the module, enabling you to reflect on the skills and attributes required to engage women, their partners and social support networks, including the most vulnerable. Again, women’s voices and experiences will be integral to the module, for example through the involvement of service user groups who work with vulnerable families, and this forms a critical part of the formative assessment. The module content will enable you to build positive relationships which respect the diversity of contemporary family life and effective midwifery practice.
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 electronic learning platform. The 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. In addition, the module will be supported by University library staff and resources, including study skills support packages.
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. Critically analyse the holistic health care needs of women and families across the childbearing continuum, from a local, national and international perspective
2. Critically appraise evidence and research underpinning ill health and complexity in maternity care.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically reflect on the role of the midwife within the MDT when providing additional care to women and families, including the ability to recognise and prioritise needs, manage and refer as appropriate.
4. Demonstrate capability when planning and providing care that recognises the service user voice, whilst considering multiple and complex professional frameworks and boundaries.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate capability in building strengths in vulnerable women through evidence-based, respectful, empowering and inclusive approaches to midwifery practice.
How will I be assessed?
Formative:
10-minute oral presentation of a case from practice to peers and service user stakeholders. Feedback provided in relation to the service user voice, empowerment and the legal and ethical frameworks informing midwifery care (LO3, 4, 5).
Summative:
30-minute oral viva of the case from practice.
MLO 1,2,3,4,5 (100%)
Feedback through marking rubric and qualitative comments.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This year three module builds on prior learning and practice experience, developing your knowledge and confidence in caring for the most vulnerable women and families as you approach qualification. The module explores complex issues around ill health and their influence on childbearing and maternity care, a critical appraisal of health policy and the evidence base for practice. The module will examine complexity in relation to the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of women and families, and the role of the midwife as the co-ordinator of care. It will develop confidence and competence around effective collaborative working and inter-disciplinary practice in challenging circumstances.
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
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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