Reflections upon a randomised controlled trial and carrying out an intervention in partnership with an NHS hospital

The aim of this paper is to summarise the reflections of the research team during a randomised controlled study in partnership with a National Health Service (NHS) maternity provider. The aim of the pilot study was to explore the effect that peer support may have upon women in the antenatal period.

The paper will particularly consider the partnership working entailed in carrying out research with an NHS hospital trust. There will be a focus upon communication with the community midwives (CMWs), recruitment for the role of peer support worker (PSW), recruitment of participants, coordination of the intervention and finally, the collection and scrutinising of data.