Supporting Mum
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Ipswich Hospital approached Healthwatch Suffolk bout leading on an engagement project to gather birthing partner’s views about the maternity pathway at Ipswich Hospital. As the representative for the patient voice in Suffolk, Healthwatch Suffolk expanded the project and collected new mum’s views of the maternity pathway as well. They heard from 373 people.
Overall, the average rating of care from all hospitals received during pregnancy from birthing partners was (8.13 (1.70) and from mums (8.35, 1.87). Birthing partners and mums from Ipswich Hospital, James Paget Hospital and Ipswich Hospital scored the following ratings of care (8.13(1.70), 8.11(1.71), 8.23(1.55) and (8.28 (1.72), 7.66(2.32), 8.70(1.67)) respectively. James Paget Hospital was rated lowest by mums and birthing partners in comparison to West Suffolk Hospital and Ipswich Hospital, however this may be due to smaller sample size of respondents from James Paget Hospital, therefore it must be interpreted with caution.
It is reassuring to read that an overwhelmingly high proportion of birthing partners (92%, n=131) and mums (94% n=156) from Ipswich Hospital, James Paget Hospital and Ipswich Hospital stated that they were given help and advice about their baby in the six weeks after their birth (92%, 93%, 91%) and (95%, 85%, 96%) respectively. A higher percentage of birthing partners stated they did not receive help and advice from health professionals about their baby’s health and progress.