title: A qualitative study of innovations implemented to improve transition of care from maternity to child and family health (CFH) services in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transition of care (ToC) from maternity services, particularly from midwifery care to child and family health (CFH) nursing services, is a critical time in the support of women as they transition into early parenting. However significant issues in service provision exist, particularly meeting the needs of women with social and emotional health risk factors. These include insufficient resources, poor communication and information transfer, limited interface between private and public health systems and tension around role boundaries. In response some services are implementing strategies to improve the transition of care from maternity to CFH services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes a range of innovations developed to improve transition of care between maternity and child and family health services and identifies the characteristics common to all innovations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data reported were collected in phase three of a mixed methods study investigating the feasibility of implementing a national approach to child and family health services in Australia (CHoRUS study). Data were collected from 33 professionals including midwives, child and family health nurses, allied health staff and managers, at seven sites across four Australian states. Data were analysed thematically, guided by Braun and Clarke's six-step process of thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The range of innovations implemented included those which addressed; information sharing, the efficient use of funding and resources, development of new roles to improve co-ordination of care, the co-location of services and working together. Four of the seven sites implemented innovations that specifically targeted families with additional needs. Successful implementation was dependent on the preliminary work undertaken which required professionals and/or organisations to work collaboratively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improving the transition of care requires co-ordination and collaboration to ensure families are adequately supported. Collaboration between professionals and services facilitated innovative practice and was core to successful change.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Building EB Parramatta Campus, University of Western Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: K.Psaila@uws.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Psaila
authors.affiliation: Tresillian Chair for Child & Family Health Centre for Midwifery, Child & Family Health Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: Cathrine.Fowler@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.affiliation: Queensland Centre for Mothers & Babies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. Electronic address: sue.kruske@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kruske
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Family and Community Health Research Group, Building EB Parramatta Campus, University of Western Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: v.schmied@uws.edu.au.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmied
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005192:Family Health; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008880:Midwifery; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Child and family health nurses; Child and family health services; Maternity services; Midwives; Transition of care