We are excited to provide an update on how we are meeting the recommendations from the independent review, Enabling Safe, Effective Staffing: An Independent Review of the Birthrate Plus Methodology.
In February 2026 the review was completed and the report launched. The findings showed that the methodology was robust whilst highlighting thirteen recommendations that will strengthen the Birthrate Plus offering. We immediately launched the first wave of implementation projects with a plan to complete by May 2026, and we are thrilled to announce that these projects have now been completed on schedule.
Outputs including our new Technical Guidance Document, Report summary and Board template are now fully updated and will be integrated into our operating practice shortly.
The Technical Guidance ensures services better understand the key principles behind the Birthrate Plus approach, can get ready for a study, and apply the principles consistently. It brings everything together in one place, helping teams feel more confident and informed throughout the process. Services told us they needed clearer, more board‑friendly outputs, so we redesigned the Birthrate Plus workforce report with more graphics, less narrative and a format that feels familiar to Boards. We’ve also developed a new Board report and business case template, giving services a straightforward way to use their study findings to support safe‑staffing and investment decisions.
We would like to thank the participants and services who supported these projects and we are thrilled that the new changes will provide a more transparent and accessible system for midwifery services.
As we move forward into the next stages of the implementation plan, we are kicking off the remaining projects including Data capture, Management & Leadership, Specialist Roles, Intrapartum Categories, Social Complexities and Pathway Approach.
If you are interested in participating in any of these topics via our working groups, please complete the form below.
Birthrate Plus registration – Implementation Projects – Fill in form
To read more about our review please click here Methodology Review Report – Birthrate Plus®