A detailed exploration of the organisation of home birth services in The Netherlands, towards knowledge transition and development of home birth services in N. Ireland: EU COST Action (IS1405) STSM Report

As part of the EU COST Action IS1405 'Building Intrapartum Research Through Health – an interdisciplinary whole system approach to understanding and contextualising physiological labour and birth (BIRTH)' this Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM) was undertaken by Dr Maria Healy from 5th Sept to 9th Sept 2016. This STSM to The Netherlands has been invaluable in relation to gaining knowledge of the Dutch maternity care system and provision of home birth care. This knowledge will enhance the development of the proposed regional evidenced-based guideline for planning birth at home in Northern Ireland. An application for funding has already been forwarded to the RIQA’s, GAIN (Guideline Audit and Implementation Network) in early October 2016.