Women and families across Cumbria and North Lancashire have set out some clear messages about what a great maternity service would look like.
In a report published by Healthwatch Cumbria following a big engagement exercise last November targeting women and families with recent experience of maternity services, there were generally high levels of satisfaction with the care received at all stages of pregnancy and after the birth of the baby.
However, there were comments about how services could be improved and these are now being taken into consideration by those currently working on the redesign of maternity services following the independent review of maternity services by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
There were consistent messages about a number of things.
- The importance of having the same small team of staff looking after women throughout pregnancy, labour, delivery and after the birth of the baby
- The consistency and quality of the information received including to help them make decisions and choices
- Support for breast feeding
- Accessibility of services and choice.
The findings have already been shared with the implementation group which is developing a feasibility study on the cost, viability and risks of maintaining four consultant-led maternity units at Barrow, Carlisle, Lancaster and Whitehaven.
The public engagement was led by Healthwatch Cumbria, working with the Maternity Services Liaison Committees which include women with experience of using local maternity services and representatives from local NHS organisations.
It targeted women who have used maternity services in the last five years, their partners, families and birth supporters and those who may become pregnant in the future.
The above findings came from 1,234 completed questionnaires which were analysed independently by the Health and Social Care Evaluation Team at the University of Cumbria.
There were also more than 70 events and drop-in sessions across West, North and East Cumbria and more than 30 opportunities for people to share their views at engagement sessions in South Cumbria and North Lancashire.
During the engagement feedback was sought on all stages of maternity care, before, during and after the birth of the baby.
Almost nine out of ten (88%) of those responding were positive about the antenatal care they received.
The reasons for those reporting unsatisfactory experiences included car parking difficulties, uncomfortable conditions at some community venues and excessive travels.
Those reporting low levels of satisfaction cited staff members not listening to them particularly in terms of their birthing plan and pain relief and staff being overstretched.
Overall, there was a high level of confidence (90%) reported in relation to leaving hospital after the birth of the baby.
Those who felt anxious on leaving hospital gave reasons including feeling that they were being discharged too soon after long and traumatic births, anxiety about breastfeeding and women feeling unprepared for discharge.
Once home the majority reported good or excellent levels of support.
The report published by Healthwatch Cumbria, which is available in full here, focuses on the evaluation of the questionnaire.
Sue Stevenson from Healthwatch Cumbria said: “We welcomed the close working with the MSLCs which helped us to contact so many women and their families in communities right across Cumbria and North Lancashire.
"Their response has shown very high levels of interest in maternity care.
"While it also showed generally high levels of satisfaction with current services, it was clear where improvements could be made to make sure that future services meet the needs and wishes of local women and their families.
"We are very pleased that discussions are already taking place to make sure that the comments we received will influence the way services are provided.”
The implementation group, set up following the independent review of maternity services by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), has been meeting since last summer and is chaired by Dr David Rogers, medical director of NHS Cumbria CCG.
It includes Dr Anthony Falconer a former past president of the RCOG who led the independent review, Cath Broderick, doctors, senior local midwives, representatives from Healthwatch Cumbria and local MSLCs.
Its work is expected to be completed by spring 2016.
It will feed into the development of a clinical strategy by the Success Regime in West, North and East Cumbria and to Better Care Together in South Cumbria and North Lancashire.
It is also taking into account the recommendations following the Morecambe Bay Investigation.