Research support

Research support

We participate in the developments of evidence-based clinical guidlines from a user perspective, using a social model of care to inform our thinking.

• NCT has contributed to the development of many NICE guidelines including Antenatal Care, Postnatal Care, Intrapartum Care, Caesarean Section, Electronic Fetal Monitoring, and induction of labour. 
• NCT has provided input into policy and research documents from the professional royal colleges, such as the RCOG green-top guidance.

Supporting lobbying and campaigning

NCT uses evidence as a foundation for lobbying and campaigning. Our campaigns to improve birth environments, improve support for breastfeeding, promote normal birth and reduce unnecessarily high caesarean section rates have all been based on research evidence. In 2010 we are working to improve support and information for parents of premature babies based on POPPY research findings and have commisioned research on choice of place of birth.

Reviewing and disseminating published research

We produce and publish four research reviews each year in our professional journal, New Digest, along with other articles drawing on research and maternity statistics.

Training for NCT workers

We provide regular training and support to NCT workers on finding, appraising and using research, including:

• CASP – critical appraisal skills training
• VOICES - facilitation and/or training for maternity services liaison committees (multi-disciplinary or user reps only)
• DISCERN - training to enable service users to appraise the quality of written ‘patient’ information provided by the health service.
• Healthcare on the Internet training for NCT workers.

Current awareness services

We provide a range of services to disseminate information to NCT workers and people working within maternity and with parents, including:

• New Digest – our quarterly professional journal which includes a roundup of recent research
• A weekly current awareness service which includes abstracts of newly published research studies
• NCT Maternity and Parenthood Directory which lists good sources of up-to-date evidence-based information

User involvement in research

There are many opportunites for NCT members to get involved in our work to ensure that information for parents is reliable, up-to-date, and based on good evidence.