The RCOG has responded to the latest annual national maternity survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC annual survey provides a valuable picture of the experiences of those using maternity services, based on data from women and pregnant people giving birth in early 2024 across 120 NHS trusts. This year’s results show steady improvements in terms of women who report being asked about their mental health during antenatal check-ups. A large majority also reported being asked about their mental health in the postnatal period. Additionally, the large majority of respondents (83%) said their midwives ‘always’ listened to them, they were ‘always’ spoken to in a way they could understand (88%), and were ‘always’ treated with respect and dignity (87%). A similarly large proportion of respondents (80%) said they were ‘always’ involved in decisions about their antenatal care.
However, the number of women reporting that they had confidence and trust in staff has fallen, alongside a drop in the number that were ‘always’ able to get help from staff during labour and birth. Only 58% of people surveyed said they were ‘always’ given the information and explanations needed.
Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“It is positive to see that a very high proportion of women surveyed felt they were treated with respect, listened to and involved in decisions about their pregnancy care. It is particularly welcome to see improvements in ante- and postnatal mental health support, which is such an important element of holistic pregnancy care.
“However, the findings show there is more work to do to ensure this is the experience of all women, and that everyone feels they have opportunities to ask questions, receives the information they need and has confidence in their maternity team.
“Making progress on these vital areas is tied to maternity teams having the staff and space to deliver excellent care. We know that maternity teams are working incredibly hard to support women and babies, but they are battling against a tide of long-term underinvestment. The government must make maternity safety a number one priority to ensure that all women can feel confident about the care they receive and have a positive pregnancy and birth experience.”
Freya El Baz, co-vice chair of the RCOG Women’s Network, said:
“As someone who has recently given birth, I truly understand the need for women to feel listened to and supported during pregnancy and birth. It can be an anxious and unpredictable time, and it’s vital that everyone receives the care, information, and trust they deserve. It’s concerning that this hasn’t always been the case. Whilst improvements in mental health support are encouraging, this survey highlights the urgent need for government investment to help maternity staff deliver the best possible care and drive positive change across the board.”