The Care Quality Commission|'s survey of women's experiences of maternity services in 2010 was published on Thursday 2 December.   

A total of 53 questions were used in the survey. The Trust was significantly better than average in a number of areas.

In the questions related to the quality of care given to patients during labour the Trust was in the top 20 percent of Trusts in the following categories.

 

• Sufficient pain relief for labour and birth.
• Labour and delivery room clean.
• Have confidence and trust in staff.
• Partner/companion made welcome by staff.
• Not left alone by midwives or doctors at a worrying time.
• Spoken to in a way that could be understood.
• Treated with respect and dignity.
• Treated with kindness and understanding.
• Being involved in decisions about care.
• Care received during labour and birth improved.

Bev Bennett, Senior Midwifery Manager said: "We are really pleased that we have such good results because it means that women whom we support while they are giving birth are happy with our care. We have worked hard to make sure we provide one to one care in labour, and the satisfaction rates show us that has been successful. We are also pleased that this has led to a significant improvement in confidence and trust in our staff during labour and birth since this survey of patients was last carried out in 2007."

Nationally, more than half of all women in England who gave birth in February 2010 responded, with more than 25,000 new mothers taking part from all the 144 NHS trusts in England that provide maternity services.

Locally, the ORH encouraged women to respond to the survey, and of the 633 women who delivered at the John Radcliffe Hospital (including the Spires Midwifery-led Unit) and the Horton General Hospital in February, 421 were completed, a response rate of 67.4 percent. 

Women were asked about all aspects of their maternity care from the first time they saw a clinician, to care and treatment during labour and birth, to care provided at home in the weeks following the birth of their baby.  

The CQC expects trusts to use the findings to target improvements, and the ORH is currently working up an action plan to improve in the areas identified as being below average (only four areas). An example would be that although the Trust was better than average at offering screening for Down's Syndrome, the Trust is worse than average at the reasons for Down's screening being not fully explained. The Trust is intending to do an audit of patients to find out what information they are getting and from where. The Trust already produces a leaflet on Down's Screening as well as information being supplied in a national booklet that women receive. The Trust will work with midwives, GPs and our partners in the Primary Care Trust to ensure that everyone working with pregnant women has all the information they need.

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Contact: Media and Communications Unit
Contact Details: 01865 231471