Question 1

About this study

Accepted Answer

We are inviting you to take part in a research study looking at how we can improve postnatal care for women and birthing parents in the UK. The study is being run by Hesta Health (CQC-registered women’s health service specialising in compassionate postnatal care) in partnership with Modality GP Super Partnership, across three sites: Birmingham, Yorkshire, and East Surrey.
The study compares Hesta's postnatal Health Check with the standard NHS 6–8 week postnatal check. We want to understand whether the Hesta Health Check can help identify health needs earlier and more comprehensively, so that women and birthing parents receive the right support at the right time.
This leaflet explains what taking part would involve, what the potential benefits and risks are, and how your information will be handled. Please read it carefully and feel free to ask any questions before deciding whether to join.

Question 2

Who can take part?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible if you:
Have had a baby and are within 2 years of giving birth
Are aged 18 or over
Are registered at a participating Modality GP practice
Have access to a smartphone or tablet

Taking part is entirely voluntary. You are free to decline and your care at this practice will not be affected in any way. If you decide to join and later change your mind, you can withdraw at any time without giving a reason, simply let the Hesta team know at research@hesta.health. Withdrawing from the study will not affect the care you receive from your GP or practice.

Question 3

What will happen if I take part?

Accepted Answer

Before your 6–8 week postnatal check, you will be contacted via text message (a secure NHS-approved messaging service) to ask whether you would like to take part. If you are interested, there will be a link within this message that you can follow to a platform whereby you can express your interest and consent to participation. If you have any further questions, or would like to learn a little more you can contact Hesta at research@hesta.health.
Once enrolled, you will be receive instructions on how to participant in the intervention:
These will include:
Have a blood test at your practice (a blood draw from your arm, arranged by your practice team, ideally in the morning when you come for baby’s check). Please note, the results of your blood test will be passed from the practice to Hesta Health for the purposes of assessment.
Complete the digital health questionnaire (online, at a time that suits you)
Receive a personalised health summary and recommended next steps from a Hesta GP, based on your questionnaire responses and blood results
Retain ability to have your usual 6–8 week NHS check with your GP as normal if either the doctor thinks you need to, or you want to

Question 4

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Accepted Answer

You  may benefit from:
A comprehensive review of your health, covering physical, emotional, and lifestyle health
Personalised recommendations and a written health summary to support your recovery from birth and overall wellbeing
Early identification of health concerns, including for example anaemia, thyroid issues, or mental health needs
A referral to your GP or local services if a concern is identified, so you can access support more quickly

Question 5

What are the possible risks or disadvantages?

Accepted Answer

The Hesta Health Check is a standard, non-invasive clinical process.  Potential risks may include:
The Hesta questionnaire covers sensitive topics including your mental health, birth experience, and emotional wellbeing. Some questions may feel difficult to answer. You are free to skip any question you do not wish to answer.
Having a blood test involves a small needle prick in your arm. This is a routine procedure and any discomfort is usually brief. There is a very small risk of bruising or minor discomfort at the site.
If the questionnaire or blood results identify a health concern, this will be communicated to you. In some cases, this may feel worrying. However, any concerns will always be handled sensitively and you will always be directed to the appropriate support.
Completing the Hesta questionnaire takes approximately 20 minutes of your time.

If at any point during the study you feel distressed or need support, please contact your GP practice. If you are in crisis, please call NHS 111 or attend your nearest A&E.

Question 6

What happens if a concern is identified?

Accepted Answer

Following the review of your responses and blood results, a Hesta clinician will determine the most appropriate outcome for you. There are four possible responses:
No follow up clinical care needs are identified — you will receive a personalised report with guidance and self-management information
A face-to-face GP assessment is required — you will be referred back to your Modality GP practice for an in-person appointment
One or more areas of specialist follow up identified — you will receive a report, and a referral letter will be sent to your GP, recommending follow-up action
A concern is identified that requires urgent action — the Hesta clinical team will contact your GP practice directly to arrange timely review, and you will be informed

In all cases where a need for follow up is identified, your care will revert to your GP and practice team as normal. We may identify an urgent concern before the standard check would take place, meaning that urgent intervention will occur earlier.

Question 7

How will my data be used and protected?

Accepted Answer

We take the privacy and security of your information extremely seriously. Below is a summary of how your data will be handled.
What data will be collected?  We will collect:
Your responses to the follow up survey sent to you.
Your responses to the Hesta questionnaire and your blood test results.
Who will have access to my data?  Your data will be accessed only by the Hesta Health Clinical Team, Hesta Health and Modality Research Teams and your treating clinicians at Modality, on a need-to-know basis. 
How is my data stored?  All data is stored on secure, encrypted cloud infrastructure that meets NHS Digital standards. We will hold named data for the purpose of delivering the Hesta Health Check, this will then be pseudonymised at the point of analysis and reporting.
What is the legal basis for processing my data?  Your data will be processed under UK GDPR Article 6(1)(e) (public task) and Article 9(2)(j) (research), in accordance with NHS information governance requirements and Hesta Health’s privacy policy.
How long will my data be kept? Your data will be kept in line with clinical and legal requirements for maternity data, after which it will be securely deleted.
Will my data be shared?  Anonymised findings may be published in academic journals or presented at conferences. No data that could identify you will ever be shared publicly.
What are my data rights?  Under UK privacy laws, you have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data. You also have the right to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. Hesta Health is the data controller for this study.

Question 8

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Accepted Answer

Can I take part if I don’t speak English as my first language?
Yes. We are committed to making this study accessible. Please speak to your research@hesta.health, who can also arrange language support via your practice.

What if the questionnaire brings up something upsetting?
The Hesta questionnaire covers some sensitive areas, including mental health and birth experience. If you find any questions distressing, you are free to skip them or stop at any time. If you are struggling, please speak to your GP or contact NHS 111.

Will I be reimbursed for taking part?
We are not able to offer payment for taking part. However, we are grateful for your time and hope that the study will benefit you directly and contribute to better postnatal care for women and birthing parents more broadly.

What happens to my results after the study?
Your individual results will be kept confidential. Anonymised, aggregated findings from the study may be published in academic or clinical research papers. You will never be identifiable in any published outputs.

Can I withdraw partway through?
Yes, at any time and without giving a reason. If you withdraw, data collected up to that point may still be used as part of the anonymised dataset, unless you specifically request that it is deleted. Simply let research@hesta.health know that you wish to withdraw.

Who do I contact if I have a complaint?
If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, please contact the Hesta Health team in the first instance at research@hesta.health. If you feel your concern has not been adequately addressed, you may escalate to the Modality GP Super Partnership governance lead.

Question 9

What do I do next?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in taking part complete you can join clicking the button below or if you have any questions after reading this leaflet, please speak to Hesta at research@hesta.health. We will respond to all queries as soon as possible, any urgent queries should not be communicated through any Hesta channels.

Patient information leaflet

About this study

Who can take part?

What will happen if I take part?

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

What are the possible risks or disadvantages?

What happens if a concern is identified?

How will my data be used and protected?

Other Frequently Asked Questions

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