How can we make postnatal information resources more accessible to women experiencing challenges accessing...

There is a serious and persistent gap in perinatal morbidity and mortality rates for women from minoritised groups and for those living in deprived areas in the UK. If symptoms can be recognised in time this enables them to be treated more effectively. There are numerous information resources of varying quality detailing symptoms of potential postnatal serious symptoms that inform women's decisions to seek care. However, cross cultural understanding, linguistic constraints and multiple challenges that act in a mutually reinforcing way can impact women's access to information in a format they can understand and act upon. Women continue to report unmet needs for information and support in the postnatal period, but there is no guidance for health care professionals on how to provide information to better care for women experiencing intersecting challenges in access to health care.

The BEAMS project partnered with charities who support women with lived experience of challenges accessing healthcare. With the additional support and insight of two peer researchers we used arts-based, participatory, trauma-informed methods to work with 60 women of lived experience through interactive workshops. We reviewed current postnatal information resources used in the NHS, and explored what worked well in transferring the health message to the reader and what did not. Together we co-wrote scripts (checked for clinical accuracy) to share our message and worked with a narrative artist to create example resources that illustrates accessible information design.

Together we co-created two checklists to guide the design and delivery of accessible information. We applied the information design checklist to the creation of posters and animations in multiple languages using postnatal serious symptoms as the topic. We also used the information delivery checklist to engage with multiple professionals, organisations and charities to disseminate and deliver the resources.

Working in a collaborative way requires time, flexibility and openness from everyone involved. It may feel unstructured or challenging at times, and produce unexpected findings, but this equitable way of working is respectful, develops valuable partnerships and authentic outputs.