A new survey from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed concerning gaps in maternity care in England, with more than a third of pregnant women reporting they do not always receive help from maternity staff during labor and childbirth.
The survey, which gathered responses from nearly 19,000 women, found that nearly half of the women did not always get the help they needed during their hospital stay after giving birth.
The findings also show that a significant number of women lack confidence in the staff who care for them at different stages of pregnancy. About 30% of women reported feeling uncertain about the care they received during antenatal visits, 23% during labor and delivery, and 31% after childbirth.
Additionally, one in seven women said they did not receive the pain relief they felt they needed during labor. A quarter of women reported not being able to ask staff questions after their baby’s birth.
These troubling results highlight ongoing concerns about the quality of maternity care in the NHS, with many services being flagged as unsafe by the CQC.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called the crisis in maternity services one of the most pressing issues facing the NHS, warning that “disaster” could be in store for women in labor if the situation is not addressed.
The survey also shows a decline in several key metrics over the last five years. For example, just 64% of this year’s respondents – women who gave birth in February – felt they always received help during labor, a decrease from 72% in 2019. Women’s trust in staff has also declined across all stages of their maternity care.
Nicola Wise, the CQC’s Director of Secondary and Specialist Care, described the findings as disappointing, noting that the drop in care quality, particularly in access to support during labor and delivery, pain relief, and postnatal information, is concerning.
Joanna Corfield from the NCT parenting charity said the findings underline the urgent need for change. “The cycle of maternity failings must end now,” she said. “Safe, compassionate, and equitable care must be non-negotiable for every woman.”
Staff shortages have been identified as a key factor in the lack of support for women, according to the Royal College of Midwives. Midwives have reported struggling to provide the level of care they want to give due to insufficient staffing.
On a more positive note, the survey showed improvements in mental health support for mothers. The CQC found that 76% of expectant mothers were asked about their mental wellbeing during antenatal checkups, and most reported similar support during postnatal care. In fact, 83% said midwives always listened to them, and 87% said they were treated with respect and dignity.
Kate Brintworth, NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer, welcomed the improvements in mental health support, but emphasized that more needs to be done to ensure all women and babies receive high-quality, personalized care.
As the pressure on maternity services continues to grow, experts agree that urgent action is needed to address the gaps in care and ensure that all women receive the support and attention they deserve throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Related Topics:
