Enter and view: Maternity services at Great Western Hospital

This is an Enter and View report by Healthwatch Swindon. Representatives from Healthwatch visited Day Assessment Unit, The Delivery Suite, Hazel Ward and White Horse Birthing Centre.

Key findings included:

• Overall patients were very happy with the support the hospital gave and praised the support offered.
• Breastfeeding rates were higher than the national average and are to be commended.
• The drop-in vaccination clinic for pregnant women is working very well and is inclusive.
• The new Triage waiting space was still in development to make it look welcoming, it was due to be launched the day after we visited.
• The waiting room for the Day Assessment Unit is small for the volume of people using it, as it is shared with the scanning department.
• We found a patient’s observations including their name and date of birth on the table in the Delivery Suite waiting room.

There are recommendations in this report.

• We would like the trust to consider the following recommendations for improvement. These are based on our findings from the visit. 
• With the Triage moving to the Day Assessment Unit consideration needs to be given to making the waiting space welcoming. Healthwatch will return in 6 months to see how the new triage system is embedded and offer support.
• Consideration needs to be given as to how staff admin can be completed whilst freeing senior staff to be more present on the ward, offering training and support.
• Patients asked that the portion sizes of the food be increased.
• Consider a board with information on local support groups for new parents be made available.
  Ensure patient details are not left in the waiting room.
• Look at the DAU unit waiting room and see if there are any options to increase space.

There are no follow up actions in the report. However the provider has responded to the report.