NEW mums have confidence and trust in hospital staff during their labour and birth, survey results show.

An annual Picker Survey about maternity care at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been released today, where 197 women responded. 

The results show 95 per cent of women have confidence and trust in the staff who looked after them during labour and birth.

The Trust also performed better than average in a number of areas. This included 97 per cent of respondents saying that they felt midwives and doctors were aware of their antenatal medical history (compared to the average at 89 per cent) and 93 per cent saying that they were happy with their level of involvement regarding decisions about being induced (compared to the average of 87 per cent).

However, the survey also highlighted that only 29 per cent of the women found that their partner was able to stay with them as long as they wanted in hospital after birth.

The restrictions to visiting maternity began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The maternity team lifted these restrictions on November 6, 2023, allowing partners to stay overnight for the first night post birth and to provide support during early labour.

This change was made following feedback from the Bucks Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership and by listening to the views of women and families using the service.

The survey also identified the need for better provision of support and advice regarding infant feeding.

 Action plans are already in place to address any areas for improvement identified by the Picker Survey, including working towards accreditation by the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative to support infant feeding.

Director of Midwifery Michelle East said: “I am pleased to see that people have so much confidence in our colleagues who are working hard to deliver outstanding care. It is also very important that people feel they are involved in decisions about their care.

"However, we know that there are things we can do better.

"We are committed to engaging with the people who use our services so that we can use their feedback to improve every aspect of the care we deliver during pregnancy and in the weeks after birth.”