Mums in north Cumbria are experiencing good care according to the results of a national maternity survey.
The survey has placed North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust as one of only seven trusts in the country rated as ‘much better than expected.’
In February 2021, the Care Quality Commission’s national bi-annual Maternity Survey was sent to all women who gave birth that month during the third COVID-19 national lockdown.
The survey asked women about their experiences of care across the pregnancy pathway from antenatal care, labour and birth, and postnatal care.
Responses for North Cumbrian trust were received from 169 patients – a response rate of 57.1 per cent and above the national average response rate of 53 per cent.
The trust runs maternity services at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital and Penrith Community Hospital.
When compared to other trusts in the North East and Yorkshire region, the trust scored within the top five for questions relating to labour and birth; staff caring for you; care in hospital after birth and feeding your baby.
The average score for the trust was 78.2, higher than the national average of 77.5 and the trust scored much better, better or somewhat better than most trusts on 11 questions.
The results rated the trust as:
- ‘much better’ than others at giving new mums care, information and an explanation after the birth with a score of 8.6/10
- ‘better’ than others in respecting decisions about how mums wanted to feed their babies (9.4/10); creating a comfortable atmosphere in the ways mums wanted (8.2/10) and for the staff introducing themselves (9.4/10)
- ‘somewhat better’ for involving partners during the labour and birth (9.4/10); for never leaving patients alone (8.5/10); treating patients with dignity and respect (9.5/10) and for mums saying they had confidence and trust in the staff caring for them during the labour and birth (9.2/10)
Amanda Kennett, the trust’s associate director of midwifery, said: “For women to be giving such positive feedback is fantastic, particularly in this survey which was conducted during the third COVID-19 national lockdown. To hear how pleased the majority of women were despite giving birth during a pandemic is a credit to our teams.
“While the overall results are very positive, we will also take the time to reflect on areas where we can improve such as looking at the information we provide on where to have your baby and the leaflets that are accessible to women through the electronic maternity notes app. Feedback from women about their stay in hospital is really important to us and helps us to improve services.
“I would like to thank all our teams who work really hard to make sure that women feel safe, supported and well looked after before, during and after labour.”
Lydia Leith, of Carlisle, gave birth to her daughter, Rose Rogers, in The Cumberland Infirmary on Christmas Day.
She said: “We can’t tell you how impressed we were with the staff on the maternity ward. They were so amazing and made it a very special day for us.
“Everyone was excellent at every stage – from making cups of tea to the moment of the birth and all the support throughout the pregnancy and now to follow. You are top quality and amazing people.”
Kelsey Wilkinson, of Kirkbride, gave birth to baby Charlie on New Year’s Day at 12.35am.
Kelsey said: “The maternity staff were brilliant. They were absolutely amazing – completely professional.”
