Skip to main content

Standard of care offered to new mothers worsens, new survey shows

THE standard of care offered to new mothers on NHS wards has dropped, according to a survey published yesterday.

A poll of more than 17,600 women who gave birth in February 2018 found a decline in the proportion of those who felt supported after labour.

Shortcomings highlighted concerned continuity of care, choice in services and access to help, information and support after giving birth.

Postnatal care is a continuing area of concern, with some women feeling isolated and unsure how to care for their baby, the survey by the Care Quality Commission showed.

Following birth and during their time on the ward, 10 per cent of women in 2018 said they could not get a member of staff to help them in reasonable time if they needed it.

The findings show that 65 per cent of women said they were always given the information or explanations they needed while in hospital after birth, compared with 66 per cent in 2017.

Once home, 73 per cent of women said that they saw a midwife as much as they wanted, a decrease from 75 per cent in 2017.

Royal College of Midwives head of health & social policy Sean O’Sullivan said that it was worrying that some areas in maternity care were “progressing very slowly, standing still or going backwards.”

He said: “We must see a real focus at government and local level to improve this. Midwives, maternity support workers, doctors and their colleagues work incredibly hard and with enormous dedication to provide the safest and highest-quality care.

“However, they must get the funding, training and support they need to be able to do their jobs and deliver the best possible care for women, babies and their families.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today