Community insights on maternity equality and equity
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Healthwatch Waltham Forest undertook research on maternity equality and equity. They spoke to 114 people who received antenatal care at Whipps Cross Hospital.
Of the respondents, 14 percent were digitally excluded, 11 percent were single parents, 8 percent lived in multi-generational households, and 4 percent were neurodivergent.
They found that mothers-to be travelled on average 20 minutes for an antenatal appointment.
Of all patients, 67 percent had a choice about where to have antenatal appointments, but only a third of those referred by a GP had a choice. Of those who self-referred, almost all (98 percent) had a choice about where to have the appointment.
85 percent either strongly agreed or agreed that they felt comfortable asking midwives and other medical professionals any questions they had and 68 percent either strongly agreed or agreed that they felt listened to.
50 percent said it was either very important or quite important for them to receive maternity care from professionals of their preferred gender, 40 percent said it was either very important or quite important to receive maternity care from professionals who are familiar with their culture and religion.
The report also covers other demographics of respondents, the experiences of people receiving antenatal appointments, cultural sensitivity, and voices for progress.