Latest Care Quality Commission survey shows Nottingham maternity services are improving
Women have scored Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) as having improved in the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey.
The CQC has published the results of the National Maternity Survey for 2024 in which NUH scored significantly better for care after birth, where 95% respondents fed back that their birth partner was able to stay with them as long as they wanted in hospital after birth compared to 27% in 2022.
Since 2022, NUH has received funding from Nottingham City Care’s Small Steps Big Changes programme for 120 recliner chairs across City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre to make overnight stays more comfortable for partners.
Other improved results show if needed, women received support or advice about feeding their baby during evenings, nights or weekends.
The aim of the survey is to find out what people think about their experiences of antenatal care, childbirth and postnatal care. It is part of CQC’s national patient survey programme to improve experiences of maternity care.
A total of 217 people who received care in the maternity services at NUH responded to the survey, which was carried out in February 2024.
The results come as further evidence of improving maternity services at NUH, as the Trust embarks on an ongoing maternity improvement programme.
In recent months, the Trust has opened a new Fetal Medicine Unit, relaunched its homebirth service and recruited more than 50 new midwives.
One area of improvement highlighted in feedback from women and families was in care after birth, where they hoped to be able to see their midwife more.
Sharon Wallis, Director of Midwifery at NUH said: “Our teams continue to work together to make improvements to our services and these results and feedback are important in helping us to shape our maternity services going forward.
“It is really pleasing to see that our patients have scored us better and that women and families feel listened to. It’s important for women and families to spend those precious first days together so we try to make it as comfortable as possible.
“While the results are encouraging, we know there is more do to and we are committed to our maternity improvement programme to deliver the best patient care in our maternity services.”
The full results of the National Maternity Survey are available https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RX1/surveys/65