A NATIONAL maternity survey has highlighted 'positive progress' at the trust which runs hospitals in Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester. 

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) 2023 Maternity Survey showed year-on-year improvements at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust across the pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey.

At Hampshire Hospitals 243 women and their families provided feedback – a response rate 10 per cent higher than the national average.

The survey involved 121 NHS trusts in England and is designed to build an understanding of the risk and quality of maternity services and care.

Women’s views on all aspects of their maternity care from the first time they see a clinician or midwife, through to the care provided at home in the weeks following the arrival of their baby are highlighted with the survey.

Speaking about the survey results, Julie Dawes, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These survey results should give expectant parents reassurance that they will receive the very best in care from our maternity team.

“Independent surveys, such as this by the CQC, provide confirmation that the considerable work undertaken by our staff to improve maternity services at Hampshire Hospitals is being experienced by patients.

“While we welcome this independent endorsement of the quality of our care, we are conscious of the need to improve some areas of communication, particularly around previous medical history and discussing birth experiences. These points are being addressed as we seek to explore ways to build the on progress achieved.”

The most notable rise was in whether partners or loved ones were able to stay with mothers during labour and birth – this increased from three in 2022 to 8.9 in 2023.

Mothers were asked whether they had confidence and trust in the staff caring for them during antenatal care, this rose from a score of 7.6 in 2022 to 8.5, and the rating for confidence and trust in the midwifery team after leaving hospital increased from eight in 2022 to 8.7.

They were also asked whether the midwifery team they saw or spoke to always listened – this rose from 8.2 to nine.

The results highlighted some areas that were 'worse' or 'somewhat worse' than the previous survey, these included the opportunity to ask questions about labour or birth after the baby was born (5.7 in 2022 to 5.5) and whether mothers were given the information or explanations they needed in hospital (7.1 to 6.8). 

The trust has said key piece of work already underway to introduce new antenatal evening classes about infant feeding, as the feedback showed that families would welcome the early insight.