Maternity services at hospitals in Cornwall voted among best in country
RCHT has received positive feedback from mums during its latest annual survey
Last updated 1st Mar 2022
Maternity services at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' Trust have been voted among the best in the country.
RCHT has received positive feedback from mums in its latest survey, despite the pressures of the pandemic.
It was voted within the top seven and scored better than the national average.
The annual national survey was delivered to mothers who gave birth in February 2021.
Survey co-ordinator, Picker, congratulated RCHT on a fantastic set of results and the positive feedback received.
Overall, its maternity services scored significantly better than the national average on 19 questions.
Dual Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions at RCHT, Kim O’Keeffe, said: “Such positive feedback from mothers is really important to us as it is their experience and views that really tell us where we are doing well and where we need to improve.
"Our results reflect the efforts our maternity team has made to listen to parents, make improvements and, like others across the country, to meet the recommendations placed on all maternity services, as a result of the Ockenden Review".
RCHT had a higher-than-average response rate with 65%, nationally this was 54%.
There was also an improvement in response rates which was just 40% when the last survey was delivered in 2019.
Picker, the survey contractor used by 66 NHS trusts, had introduced a new mixed approach in 2021 offering responders both a digital and print option to complete the survey, which has helped to improve the uptake.
Angela Bellamy, Deputy Head of Midwifery and Consultant Midwife said: "The maternity team is absolutely delighted with the fantastic results from the CQC maternity survey.
"RCHT has been voted within the top 7 of 122 maternity services in the country for the care they provide.
"This survey covers antenatal, postnatal, and labour periods, including patient experience, choice, people being listened to and being fully involved in decisions about their care.
"The maternity team has made many changes and improvements over the past four years including leadership, safety, patient experience and services for those requiring specialist care.
"Relationships within the maternity team and with external agencies have been strengthened, with the care and experience of birthing families at the heart of everything they do".