Watchdog criticises maternity service standards

A far reaching study from a watchdog showed a total of 22 per cent of women said they were left by themselves and were worried during their visits to maternity units, including 12 per cent during labour itself.

The research also showed that 38 per cent of women gave birth lying down while a further 17 per cent were supported with stirrups – positions which are recommended to be used only in emergencies.

A further 38 per cent of women said they were not able to fully choose a position for childbirth that was comfortable and 35 per cent were not completely satisfied with their levels of pain relief.

Standards in Yorkshire were shown to be broadly in line with national trends in the results, which were published in the biggest survey of its kind by the Care Quality Commission into maternity services.

More than 25,000 women contributed to the research which showed that while overall standards were improving, areas of concern still existed, prompting calls for greater investment.

In all, 92 per cent ranked their overall care as good, very good or excellent and the number who said they were left alone by midwives or doctors at a time when it worried them has fallen overall since 2007.

However women still said they were left alone and worried, while only 65 per cent said they felt they got the pain relief they needed.

The report found a significant increase since 2007 in the proportion of women giving birth lying down with legs in stirrups.

Excluding women who had assisted deliveries, 38 per cent gave birth lying down and a further 17 per cent were supported with stirrups, an increase from 14 per cent in three years.

This contradicts guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which discourages these positions unless clinically necessary.

Nice's chief executive, Cynthia Bower, said: "This reported improvement in antenatal care is encouraging, but sadly it is not mirrored in the care provided during labour and birth.

"Whilst many women report feeling involved in their care, it is particularly concerning that over a fifth of women are left alone during labour or birth when it worries them and it seems too many are not being encouraged to take more active birthing positions.

"There have been few improvements in postnatal care, with worryingly fewer women saying they receive the information or explanations they need.

"New parents need to feel reassured at this particularly important time in their lives as they embark on parenthood.

"It is particularly important for trusts to focus their attention on improvements in this area and ensure that handovers to community services and support networks for new parents are managed effectively."

The survey was published on the same day that Public Health Minister Anne Milton launched a new comparison service for expectant parents that will enable people to compare and rate maternity services across the NHS.

The website – at www.nhs.uk – will include opening times, people's views on the service and how they were treated by staff, as well as details of any extra services.

Ms Milton said: "Expectant people having babies have a lot to organise anyway, let alone trying to find the right maternity services for them. It is vital we help people get enough information to make the right