Press release: NHS Confederation response to Healthcare Commission's maternity survey

26 Nov 2007

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Jo Webber, deputy policy director at the NHS Confederation, said:

"The overall findings of the survey are encouraging. That the large majority of women are generally satisfied with all three stages of care indicates that midwives and obstetricians,  and managers and clinicians are successfully working together for the good of patients. It is particularly encouraging that most women have direct access to midwives as soon and as often as they choose.

"Despite the positive overall results, the wide variations between trusts and the specific areas of concern show that improvements still need to be made. It is important that women feel involved in the decisions made about their care and that services meet their individual needs. By learning from each other, trusts can ensure that good practice spreads through the system. "

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

Contact Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309, Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 07884 47 3086, or Ruby Casey-Knight 020 7074 3306 or 07881 957305.  For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

Back to media centre