CQC survey highlights improved maternity care

A Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey of more than 18,000 people in England has found that most women are having a positive experience of maternity care and treatment within the NHS.

Studying women who had given birth in February 2017 across 130 NHS trusts, respondents were questioned about all aspects of their maternity care, from the first time they saw a midwife, during labour, through to the care provided at home in the weeks following the birth.

The survey shows that 88 per cent of women surveyed said that they were ‘always’ treated with dignity and respect during labour and birth, an increase of two per cent over the last two years, while 77 per cent reported that they were never left alone during the birth of their baby at a time when it worried them, compared to 74 per cent in 2015. However, that means that almost one in four mothers are still being left alone during labour or birth.

Furthermore, 98 per cent of women said their midwife or health visitor asked them how they were feeling emotionally during their postnatal care. However, only 57 per cent of women said they were ‘definitely’ given enough information about potential emotional changes they might experience after giving birth. Additionally, 66 per cent of women felt they were ‘always’ given the information or explanations they needed after birth before returning home.

Professor Ted Baker, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “The survey identifies a number of encouraging data trends showing improvements in women’s experiences throughout pregnancy, during birth and postnatally, and it indicates a greater focus on women’s individual needs and choices.

“However, the scope for continued improvement remains, particularly in relation to women’s choices about their antenatal care and ensuring enough information is available to support women through any emotional changes they might experience after giving birth. Our own inspection work of maternity services so far shows that the majority of trusts are providing high quality care – with over 60 per cent of hospitals rated as either Good or Outstanding for maternity. However, this also highlights that further work is needed to narrow the variation that we know exists.”

Elizabeth Duff, of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), said: “Encouragingly, the number of women left alone in labour has reduced. However it is still of great concern that 23 per cent of women are left alone during the birth of their baby which can be a very frightening and dangerous experience. This reinforces the fact that staffing levels are low and midwives are being stretched to the limit, so we continue to call on the government to address this midwife shortage.”