Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) affects up to 1 in 5 people during pregnancy and is linked with a range of physical and mental health complications. Maternity services can help identify people experiencing DVA, due to frequent healthcare attendance and ongoing monitoring of expectant parents’ health. Health-based Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (hIDVAs) are increasingly used by NHS Trusts to secure the wellbeing of people experiencing DVA, including pregnant people.
How Trusts can ensure hIDVAs are implemented in a successful way warrants further exploration, as healthcare settings are complex models of care. YHARC provided implementation expertise to The RIVA study to understand how hIDVA models can work successfully with maternity services to ensure the best outcomes for expectant parents, via: (1) a national mapping of hIDVA services in English NHS Trusts; (2) Stakeholder consultation and (3) Case studies of hIDVAs models in 5 NHS Trusts, to develop recommendations for effective implementation with maternity services.