Croydon top in London for treating mums with respect and dignity during childbirth | Trust news

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Croydon top in London for treating mums with respect and dignity during childbirth

The CQC 2018 National Maternity Survey today revealed that Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is the highest of any London Trust in treating new mums with dignity and respect during their labour and birth of their babies.

The Trust received a score of 9.7 out of 10, fourth highest in the country and a significant increase in the number of new mums responding positively compared to the 2017 survey.

Croydon Health Services also came fourth nationally when allowing women to choose a location for their antenatal appointments and scored higher than many other Trusts in advising mothers of the need for a personal postnatal check-up 6-8 weeks after their child’s birth. 

Compared to the 2017 results the maternity team also improved in the following areas:

  • Encouraging skin to skin contact after birth (9.6 out of 10 compared to 8.7 in 2017)
  • Involving women in decisions around care during labour and birth (9.0 out of 10 compared to 8.1 in 2017)

Women were asked questions about all aspects of their maternity care from the first time they saw a clinician or midwife, during labour and birth, through to the care provided at home in the weeks following the arrival of their baby.

Director of Midwifery at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Manjit Roseghini, said:

“The positive feedback received from mothers is a testament to the dedication and efforts of staff in our maternity team and across the wider department, working both in the hospital and out in the community.

“The results show that most mothers are happy with the quality of the care they receive from our colleagues and we are proud of the areas where we are performing well. Having a baby is a very personal experience for women and their families and we are extremely proud to come top in London for treating our new mums with treating our women with dignity and respect during this special time. It is also extremely important to us that the women we care for are actively making decisions about their maternity options and this is reflected in the results.”

Overall, when compared to other Trusts, CHS was rated as “about average” on most questions asked. However there were areas identified ‘worse than other Trusts’. These include:

  • Expectant mothers not being given enough time to ask questions and discuss their pregnancy at their antenatal appointments.
  • Receiving the help needed when contacting a midwife during their care at home after the birth
  • Getting help from a member of staff within a reasonable time while in hospital

Ms Roseghini added:

“Whilst there is much positivity to take from the survey, we are aware that there are a few areas that need addressing to further improve the experience of expectant mothers and those who give birth at the Trust.

“We want women and their families to continue to feel confident in the care they receive at CHS. An action plan has been put into place following the results and we are working with pregnant women, new mothers, Maternity Voices Partnership and healthcare professionals to make sure we address the highlighted areas.”

More than 3,700 babies were born last year at Croydon University Hospital or at women’s homes with the support of the Trust’s Crocus Home Birth team.

To give women greater choice for their maternity care, Croydon University Hospital offers larger than average rooms with space for partners to stay overnight in the midwifery-led Birth Centre, including several with birthing pools. For women who need additional support in labour, the hospital’s 11 delivery suite rooms are all ensuite and have been designed to make women feel as comfortable and calm as possible.

The Crocus Home Birth team were finalists for the ‘Team of the Year’ at the Royal College of Midwifery Awards 2018. One of the Trust’s midwives was also awarded ‘Midwife of the year 2018’ at the British Journal of Midwifery Practice Awards for their care vulnerable pregnant women in Croydon. In a positive start to 2019, another Trust employee has been shortlisted for the Emma’s Diary ‘Mums’ Midwife of the Year’ for the London region.

The CQC rated maternity and gynaecology services at Croydon Health Services as "Good" during its last inspection in 2015.

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