Mums-to-be in Wirral get best possibly care – report

Jan 25 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

EXPECTANT mothers in Wirral can expect to receive the best level of care possible when giving birth, according to a report.

In a detailed review by the Healthcare Commission (HCC), Arrowe Park Hospital gained the top classification of best perform-ing, with all other Merseyside maternity services gaining second best score of better performing.

North Cheshire Hospitals Trust, which covers Warrington hospital, received a fair rating.

As a result of the study, for the first time ever, prospective mothers can now compare details of how their local maternity unit measures up.

The review took into account 25 different factors – including staffing levels, numbers of midwives and consultants, the mothers’ own views about the state of delivery suites and standards of care, and the welfare of mothers and babies.

Pauline Lightfoot, Head of Mid-wifery at Arrowe Park, said: “We are confident standards of care we provide to our mothers and babies is high but it is reassuring to have this supported by an independent organisation like the HCC.

“In the past few months, we have seen a number of exciting developments in maternity ser-vices including the opening of our Midwife-led Care Area, which offers water birth facilities, and the opening of our upgraded neonatal unit.

“We are constantly looking at ways in which we can build on standards and reviews like these help highlight areas to focus on.

“We are already aiming to im-prove our infant feeding support by working towards achieving UNICEF Baby Friendly status, a benchmark for the advice, support and care we offer women in rela-tion to breastfeeding their baby.”

Cleanliness, safety and choice of delivery, such as home and water births, also received high marks.

Louise Shepherd, chief executive of Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust, which gained a better performing rating, says the hospital is happy with the result but is still working hard to improve further: “We are pleased with our positive results in this survey, and are proud to be one of the country’s better performing trusts.

“We are particularly pleased with our very good marks in relation to involving women in their care and in the appropriate use of Caesarean sections.

“Our restructuring will cover all aspects of work from maternity to gynaecology and equip us to take our work forward to new levels, providing a leading edge service to the women, babies and families of Merseyside.”

Nationally, 26% of organisations were assessed as best performing, 31% as better performing, 22% as fair performing and 21% as least well performing, with 14 of the 22 main maternity services in the North West achieving the top mark.

Jo Dent, Head of the Healthcare Commission in the North of England, added: “This is the most comprehensive assessment of maternity services anyone has ever published – and I am delighted to see that overall, maternity services in the North are doing very well.”

lizawilliams

Praise for the Liverpool Women's Hospital > > >