THIS Institute study shapes reforms for the eighth year of the Maternity Incentive Scheme

Notably, the THIS Institute found that there was "broad agreement across participants that the financial incentivisation embodied by the Scheme is a strong lever on organisational behaviour in provider trusts", while recognising the challenging and evolving environment within maternity services.

Purpose, safety, and improvement

In terms of the future optimisation of the MIS, the report focuses on three key areas:

1. The purpose and place of the MIS. THIS Institute makes a number of suggestions, including that consideration should be given as to whether the MIS's mission should relate to a specific or broad conceptualisation of safety, and as to the place of the MIS in an evolving maternity system.
2. Optimising safety actions and minimising the administrative burden. THIS Institute suggests that making the safety actions that form the basis of the MIS as simple, clearly specified and geared for positive impact as possible may be beneficial.
3. Incentivising and supporting improvement. In relation to this area, THIS Institute again makes a number of suggestions, including publicising the availability of discretionary payments for action plans to address areas of non-compliance, and providing more details (e.g. on scope, funding available), and enhancing accountability for the use of reimbursements and discretionary payments, through the MIS itself or through other mechanisms (within or beyond NHS Resolution).

The full report can be found here.

Year 8 of the Maternity Incentive Scheme, informed by this report, was launched by NHS Resolution on 31 March 2026. Details can be found here.

For further support in your organisation with any of the matters raised in this article please contact the authors below.