PhD Study : Exploiting administrative maternity data to examine maternal and infant health outcomes across Northern Ireland

Apply and key information  

Summary

The chief, longstanding outcome of the Health and Social Care Commissioning Plan Direction (Northern Ireland) [1] is to improve and protect health and wellbeing and to reduce health inequalities for all individuals across Northern Ireland (NI). Marmot’s (2010) Fair Society, Health Lives Review [2] advocated strongly that health inequalities exist before birth and the development of a healthy baby is crucially affected by the health and wellbeing of the mother. Regionally, in 2012, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s (DHSSPS) A Strategy for Maternity Care in NI (2012-18) [3] also clearly recognized the important role that the general socio-economic, cultural, and environmental conditions in which people live, as well as the lifestyle choices they make, their emotional health and other clinical and biological factors, can have on impacting the outcome of a pregnancy for a mother and her baby. In order to reduce health inequalities for mothers and their children, a modern health system must commission and provide high-quality, evidence-based maternity care services which are acceptable to, and appropriate for the needs of, the local population which they serve [2]. The Northern Ireland Maternity System (NIMATS) is a regional administrative data resource which contains a wide range of demographic and clinical information collected about mothers and their infants during antenatal check-ups, labour and delivery, and the postnatal period. Although NIMATS data is collected primarily for administrative purposes, there may be considerable potential for this wide-ranging data resource to also be used for research purposes. Currently, NIMATS is largely an under-utilized resource.

This PhD proposal is part of a larger research project involving an observational, population-level analysis of births occurring in NI from 2012 onwards (~25K births annually) to produce high-quality, robust evidence on pregnancy and birth, which can be used to help shape and inform the commissioning and delivery of maternity services in NI.

The project aims are as follows:

(1) To provide a complete and accurate picture of the socio-demographic characteristics (e.g. age, sex, marital status, employment status) of all mothers giving birth at the main maternity hospitals in NI, and whether/how this has changed in recent years;

(2) To assess how specific sub-groups of mothers (e.g. younger mothers; older mothers; single mothers; those with specific health conditions; etc.) experience pregnancy and birth in NI;

(3) To estimate the effect of a range of protective and risk factors associated with experiencing a range of specific birth outcomes (e.g. C-section; assisted delivery; home birth); and

(4) To estimate the effect of a range of socio-demographic, antenatal care and birth-related factors on the characteristics and health of new-borns (e.g. gestation; birth weight; APGAR score, etc.) in NI.

The PhD researcher will be supported to develop their own research interests within the scope of this larger study.

Additional Requirements

* Experience in analysing and eagerness to learn about secondary/administrative quantitative data;

* Enthusiasm and willingness to work independently (under supervision).

REFS:

  1. Department of Health (2018). Health and Social Care Commissioning Plan Direction (Northern Ireland) 2018-19.  Retrieved from . Last accessed 30th May 2019.
  2. Marmot Review (The), Fair Society, Healthy Lives, 2010. 3. Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (2012). A Strategy for Maternity Care in Northern Ireland (2012-18). Retrieved from . Last accessed 30th May 2019.
  3. Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) (2017). Review of A Strategy for Maternity Care in Northern Ireland (2012-18). .  Last accessed 30th May 2019.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • Hold a Masters degree in Psychology or related area
  • Recognition of the importance of research integrity and Open Science practices

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
18 + 19 + 20 March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Orla McBride

Other supervisors