Maternity Equity and Equality in Tower Hamlets

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets undertook a research project on people's experience of maternity services, particularly focussing on the experiences of women from Black and Asian ethnic minorities.  They collected feedback from 42 women via a survey and interviews.

Overall, most respondents found booking an appointment with their GP easy. However, people from Asian and Black ethnic minority groups and people with a basic level of English were more likely to find it difficult.

Long wait times and delayed appointments were reported across all services apart from screening services. 

Many respondents commented on midwives being under pressure and overworked which led to feelings of appointments being rushed and care not being personalised. 

People reported good experiences with maternity services when they were able to see the same medical professional throughout their pregnancy, the staff were professional and friendly, they felt comfortable asking questions, and were being listened to. However, respondents reported experiences where they felt staff did not take them seriously, or their needs were not being listened to.

Respondents shared experiences where they felt that their appointment was a tick-box activity, or where medical professionals were not supportive and did not listen to their specific needs. 

Respondents commented on a need for the recruitment of more diverse staff that represent the communities that access these services. 

Overall, maternity services tended to have low patient satisfaction in terms of services being well-organised, being supportive to make informed choices about patient care, treating patients with dignity and respect, and treating everyone equally. This was particularly true with respondents from Black and Asian ethnic minority communities who often disagreed with these statements.

 People said that information, in particular regarding health conditions that cause pregnancy to be high risk, should be made available in different community languages so that people who do not speak English can better understand the risks.

Two respondents said they had experienced a miscarriage, and one of them said they did not receive support from their GP and they did not speak to anyone about their grief.

The report contains eight recommendations on co-production of maternity services; culturally appropriate care; trauma-informed care; a single telephone number available 24/7; communications, cultural competency training and access to multi-lingual advocates on site.