"CHUFFED" - Dorset maternity unit voted best in the country
These results are a real recognition of "how hard our staff work"
Dorset County Hospital’s maternity service has been touted as “the best in the country” according to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) national survey.
Jo Hartley, the Director of Midwifery and Neonatal Services at Dorset County Hospital, said: “To hear that we were considered the best in the country was really humbling because it’s been really hard in maternity services and there’s been a huge focus on patient experience.”
Responses for the 2022 Maternity Survey were taken by 100 women who gave birth during the months of January and February.
The Dorchester-based hospital was recognised for its high standards of care and Jo believes these results will give Dorset County Hospital a “better reputation”.
Jo Hartley added: “Knowing we’re getting it right for a lot of the families that used our service is wonderful and a real recognition of how hard our staff work.”
The survey asked women about their experiences of care across the entire pregnancy pathway, from antenatal care, labour and birth, and postnatal care.
She said: “If you have a good experience during your pregnancy, your labour or your birth and you feel like you’re in control then you go into parenthood as confident and as calm as you can.
“if your experience is poor, the impact is huge from physical exhaustion to distress and those feelings can last a long time so it’s absolutely crucial we do all we can to care for women the way they want to be cared for.”
As well as delivering individual hospital reports, the CQC publishes a report which focuses on variation in results for care during labour and birth.
Dorset County Hospital received high scores in all areas, including the treatment of people, confidence in staff and involvement in decisions regarding patient care.
Jo Hartley attributed the success of the hospital to the “personalisation” of care they provide, she said: “It’s all about saying to that woman how do you want that birth to be, how can I help you with that and I will do all I can to make sure your experience is good.”