Gemma and James Jebson with their baby Rory at the Fylde Coast Birth Centre. Rory was the first baby to be born at the birth centre when it opened at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Women using the midwifery services of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are being encouraged to complete a national maternity survey.
The maternity survey is part of a programme run by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to gather feedback on the experiences of women using NHS maternity services across England.
The results of the survey will provide valuable feedback for the Trust which will be used to improve the experience of expectant and new mums. It will also contribute to the CQC’s assessment of NHS performance as well as ongoing monitoring and inspections.
Between April and August 2017 questionnaires will be sent out to a sample of women who gave birth in February 2017.
The Trust will survey women aged 16 or older who give birth at Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s Delivery Suite, the Fylde Coast Birth Centre or at home.
Obtaining feedback from patients is vital for bringing about improvements in the quality of care and this is an excellent way for women to directly influence services locally.
Nicola Parry, Head of Midwifery for the Trust, said: “We in the Families Division find the maternity survey invaluable.
“The women and families are at the centre of our care and therefore their views and suggestions are pivotal in shaping and improving the future maternity services at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.”
Andrew Heath, Head of Patient Experience for the Trust, said: “We are committed to improving the experience of women and their birth partners who access our maternity services.
“The results from the last survey highlighted how our patients felt listened to in their antenatal appointments with their midwives, having two-way, clear conversations with them.
“All staff in our maternity services strive to provide women with high quality, personalised care and we were extremely pleased to receive this positive feedback which recognises their efforts. We look forward to seeing the results of this year’s survey so we can continue to enhance our services.”
Nationally, the last survey by the CQC in December 2015 collected the views of more than 20,000 women, highlighting important issues such as choice of birth, midwife-led care, postnatal mental health and partner involvement.