Enter and view: Royal Lancaster Infirmary Maternity Unit

Healthwatch Lancashire undertook an announced visit to Lancaster Maternity Unit on 18 March 2024. They spoke to 17 people.

Healthwatch Lancashire Representatives viewed the facilities that were available around the Women’s centre at Lancaster Royal Infirmary, where the Maternity Unit is located. This included the Delivery Suite, Ward 17 for Antenatal and Postnatal patients and the Antenatal Clinic. 

The visit focussed on listening to the experiences of people who were using the Antenatal services at the hospital. Overall, the feedback received from patients was positive including compliments about the quality of care and attentive support that was offered by staff. 

Communication and information was praised; with patients reporting that they felt informed to make choices throughout their maternity journey. Relatives and partners, especially, felt that they were included and informed about decisions that were being made about the care of the mother and baby. 

Staff were observed to be courteous and knowledgeable about the needs of the patients that they served. There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere observed in all areas that Healthwatch Lancashire Representatives were shown.

Healthwatch Lancashire were informed that there were developments planned for some areas of the unit. These improvements included the movement of a desk in an entrance area and to make access to the Bereavement Suite more secure and refreshing the décor in some areas of the unit, including the corridor areas. 

Staff felt these developments would improve patient safety and make the experience of attending the service more cohesive and straightforward, particularly for those attending the delivery suite.