Findings of the CQC Survey
Nationally this survey showed many maternity care experiences were less positive than they were five years ago. With maternity services regularly in the spotlight of NHS related stories, this should not be a surprising outcome. When comparing the results to those from 2022, the CQC noted however that there were signs of improvement with some aspects of care. Again, with the focus on maternity services in recent years, improvement is something that all will be grateful to see.
- Positively for families there is noted to be national improvement in antenatal care and a large number of women and other pregnant people reporting better experiences of antenatal and postnatal mental health support than in the previous year.
- Key areas for improvement revolve around the availability of staff during labour and birth, together with communication with those involved in their care. It has been well documented and widely accepted that there is a shortage of maternity staff across the country and therefore these results should be anticipated by many.
The CQC results can be found at https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/surveys/maternity-survey and it is possible to drill down within this into the results by NHS Trust.
Maternity provision across the East Midlands
Nottingham – The CQC reported the maternity services at this Trust as “Requiring improvement” in their inspection report from September 2023 and the Trust is currently under scrutiny with the ongoing largest NHS investigation into maternity services. The recent survey results have shown this Trust are thankfully showing some improvement since the survey of 2022 however with the Donna Ockenden led investigation ongoing, together with criminal investigation due to commence in spring 2024, maternity services will no doubt be scrutinised further.
Derby – Maternity services at this Trust were reported as “Inadequate” by the CQC in their inspection report from November 2023. Survey results recently disclosed by the CQC show that patients have responded in line with the national findings.
Leicester – The CQC, when comparing survey findings with other Trusts, believe that results were ‘somewhat worse than expected’ in the areas of ‘Staff caring for you’ and ‘Care in hospital after the birth’. With the CQC rating maternity services in Leicester as “Requiring improvement’ in two out of three hospitals in 2023 these survey results should reiterate the need for improvement.
Our thoughts
Claire Cooper, Senior Associate in the Clinical Negligence Team at Rothera Bray, said “It is disappointing to see that a number of people are of the view that their maternity care experiences are less positive. Families place their trust, lives and babies in the hands of medical staff during pregnancy and labour. I would urge anyone who has concerns about maternity treatment their or their loved ones have received to push for answers and emotional support”.
At Rothera Bray our specialist Clinical Negligence team is experienced in investigating birth injury claims to mother and baby and experience of group action claims involving gynaecology and obstetric issues.
If you have concerns about the treatment that you, or a loved one has received, please contact our Serious Injury team us on 03456 465 465 or email enquiries@rotherabray.co.uk
Support available:
We also offer support and signposting alongside our legal advice.
Links to some of the relevant support available are below:
Baby loss and bereavement support:
Disabled children (any condition)
Hypoxia during labour/following birth
