The survey is based on real life experiences and showed that those surveyed were very satisfied with their experiences overall. There have been continuous improvements to survey results since 2022.
Areas where maternity services users’ experience were rated best included:
- Midwives providing service users with relevant information, during their pregnancy, about feeding their baby.
- Maternity service users being involved in the decision to be induced.
- Maternity service users feeling that healthcare professionals did everything they could to manage their pain during labour and birth.
- Maternity service users feeling that if they raised a concern during labour and birth it was taken seriously.
Respondents to the survey also said they:
- were given enough support for their mental health during pregnancy
- felt midwives listened during antenatal check-ups
- were treated with respect and dignity during labour and birth
- had confidence and trust in the staff caring for them during labour and birth
- were treated with kindness and understanding by staff after the birth
Sue Gibson, Director of Midwifery at ĢtvƵ said:
“The improvements in maternity care in ĢtvƵ are down to our hardworking team who, despite the pressures they are under, strive to provide the very best care for patients. We are proud to work in collaboration with partners across the city and alongside the ĢtvƵ Maternity Voices Partnership to develop our services with families who have first-hand experience of maternity care in ĢtvƵ.”
While overall results of the survey were positive, the Trust has identified some areas where improvements will continue to be made.
The result that showed a decrease in satisfaction was patients experience of partners being allowed to stay overnight on postnatal wards. This reflected the Covid-19 visiting restrictions that were in place at the time which have now been lifted.
A total of 359 people shared their experience of ĢtvƵ Maternity Services which includes babies born at St James’s Hospital, ĢtvƵ General Infirmary or at home.
The national survey received responses from a total of 25,515 women who had a baby between January – March 2023, and it covered all aspects of maternity provision: antenatal care, care during labour and birth and post-natal care. There were 121 acute NHS trusts that took part.
The full report can be accessed online at: