Shaping better maternity services through public involvement

In this episode, host and Fuse public partner, Hannah Murray, speaks with Fuse researcher Dr Kerry Brennan-Tovey about the SEAMS study - Supporting Engagement with and Access to Maternity Services. This study explores the barriers that pregnant women on low income face when accessing maternity care.

Together, they talk about what prompted the study, how the research team ensured that a range of people from different backgrounds and experiences were involved in the research, and how the voices of pregnant people were meaningfully integrated into the research. We hear about the importance of public involvement throughout the study and how these insights helped shape the research and inform changes along the way. Kerry (pictured) and Hannah reflect on what surprised the research team during the study and discuss what’s next for the research.

Kerry also answers the big question: "If you had one message for our listeners to take away, what would it be?" Listen now to find out.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify and Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast

About the guest

Kerry Brennan-Tovey is a Research Associate at Newcastle University. Her current research includes exploring the barriers for pregnant women to accessing healthcare, evaluating maternal healthcare services, tobacco dependence services and vaping. Kerry’s research background is in public health, health sociology and health inequalities, specifically food insecurity. She is also a registered physiotherapist who has previously worked clinically in the North East of England.

About the host

Hannah Murray is an expert by experience who has collaborated closely with Fuse and the wider public partner-led podcast planning group in creating the 'Public Health Research and Me' podcast. Her interests and specialised subjects are around public and mental health, parenthood and neurodiversity. She is also the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager for the Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation at Cambridge and Newcastle Universities. In her spare time, she visits castles, tries to bake (she admits not always successfully!) and watches Tony Robinson documentaries.

Resources

• Supporting engagement with and access to maternity services - NIHR School for Public Health Research
• Barriers to accessing maternity care in England - NIHR School for Public Health Research
• Public involvement and community engagement within the SEAMS study - NIHR School for Public Health Research

Last modified: Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:09:14 BST