Maternity care improving

Results of an annual survey of mothers conducted by the CQC (Care Quality Commision) have revealed that women are reporting a generally better level of maternity care than previous years.  The survey of more than 20,000 women from across the 133 NHS trusts in England found that a number of key areas had shown particular improvement: access to midwives, choice of place of birth, quality of information, being treated with dignity and respect, having clean wards, toilets and bathrooms and more support for feeding were especially highlighted.

However the survey did also indicate that there are still some areas of concern.  especially that many women are being left alone at some point during labour, which they have found distressing.  These rates appear not to be improving.

RCM director for midwifery Louise Silverton said: “The survey results are positive and suggest that women are experiencing better care during pregnancy and birth. The results indicate a good improvement since 2013, but there is still much more that can be done to ensure women are experiencing the best possible care and treatment during their pregnancy…We owe it to women and their babies that there are enough midwives to safely care for them”.

Read the full response from the RCM here