Maternity service users give WUTH top ratings
In the newly published CQC national maternity survey, Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) has ranked in the top 5 trusts for the Cheshire and Merseyside region in four sections, underscoring its role as a leading provider of maternity care in the region.
WUTH is highlighted as a top trust in relation to antenatal check-ups, triage assessment and evaluation, labour and birth, and care in the ward after birth. The survey includes questions on whether midwives listened during antenatal care; whether concerns were taken seriously during triage; and if partners were allowed to stay as much as they wanted in the ward after birth.
The national survey looks at the experiences of 18,951 women, across 120 NHS trusts, who gave birth in January or February 2024.
WUTH achieved a score of 9 out of 10 when patients were asked whether they felt midwives listened to them during anti-natal check-ups. The Trust also scored 9.6 out of 10 in regard to whether they were spoken to in a way they could understand. It scored 9.1 out of 10 for whether their partner or someone close was involved in their care during the birth as much as they wanted.
The CQC carries out an annual maternity services survey to look at the experiences of pregnant women/birthing people and new mothers who have used NHS maternity services. The survey helps monitor progress against the national aims by listening to respondents about their experiences of the care given during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and in the six to eight week period following birth (postnatal care).
Jo Lavery, Divisional Nurse Director for the Women and Children’s Division, said: “Feedback from our service users is of upmost importance to us, so it’s extremely gratifying to know that our pregnant people and new mums feel listened to, and that their support partners feel involved, both during and after labour. Our service users’ wellbeing is a top priority. Listening is key to this as it helps us to provide personalised care and reduce any anxieties. Taking a family-centric approach to maternity care makes a big difference to the wellbeing of both mums and babies, ensuring dads and support partners are around at these hugely significant times in their lives. I’m so pleased that the survey feedback reflects our aims.”
WUTH CEO Janelle Holmes said: “The results of the survey reflect the ongoing dedication of our maternity staff to delivering the highest standards of care during pregnancy, and providing family-centred care during labour and in the weeks following baby’s birth.”
In the overall survey results, the Trust had no indicators where the service was rated as worse, reflecting a consistent quality of care being provided across all of WUTH’s maternity services.