Mums help hospital to provide best possible care

Improvements are being made to maternity services at Milton Keynes Hospital, thanks to feedback from mums and their partners.

When patients leave the maternity wards, they are asked to complete a short survey about their experiences. The responses are being compiled every month and analysed by midwives and hospital managers to make sure the views of mums are taken into account when improving services.

Elizabeth Allen, Head of Midwifery, said: “We have been getting some fantastic feedback from mums, who have been very positive about the treatment they have received. But we also want to keep improving, so we are keen to hear ideas and suggestions from mothers and their partners. We have already been able to make a number of improvements based on their comments and we intend to continue listening to make sure we are providing the very best care possible.”

Mums said: They wanted to see more midwives

So the hospital has: Employed eight new midwives over the last two months and further two midwives are due to start. Recruitment is continuing.

Mums said: They wanted more individual support in labour

So the hospital has: Been offering one-to-one care by a registered midwife to all women in established labour since mid-March.

Mums said: They didn’t like waiting to be discharged, or to be let in or out of the security door at night

So the hospital has: Employed an evening ward clerk to let people in and out and complete the paperwork for discharges

A mum said: “An information pack should be provided on each bed so when new patients come they can follow instructions and timing of food and visitor hours rather than asking midwives for all the times.”

So the hospital is: Posting notices with all this information beside every bed by the end of the month.

A dad said: Treatment in the nursery was too near the door

So the hospital has: Changed the nursery layout, so treatment is now carried out at the end of the room.

The ward sisters also set a Hot Topic of the Month, which gives them an opportunity to highlight patient issues with midwives and other staff.

Patients are able to see the feedback and actions taken on a “You said, we did” board in the maternity ward.