Plymouth maternity service shows major progress in care, new survey finds

Women who used maternity services at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) earlier this year have reported several improvements, according to the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) Maternity Survey.

The survey gathered views from people who used NHS maternity services early this year (February 2025), with results now available to the public.

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Key improvements

Women said they felt well supported during labour, and only a small number were sent home when worried about themselves or their baby. 

Many reported that their partners or chosen supporters were able to be fully involved during labour and birth.

Staff were praised for clear communication and for introducing themselves, which helped women feel safe and informed.

The survey also showed:

• More involvement in antenatal decisions, with women feeling more included in choices about their care.
• Higher confidence and trust in antenatal staff.
• Much better partner access after birth, with more partners able to stay as long as needed on the postnatal ward.
• More personalised advice from midwives, with staff taking individual circumstances into account.

Areas needing work

The survey also highlighted some issues:

• Delays at discharge were common for many families.
• Some women said the amount of midwife contact did not suit their needs, wanting either more or less support.
• Some felt staff were not always fully aware of their medical histories.

Response from hospital leaders

Catherine Wilkins, Interim Director of Midwifery at UHP, said:

“The CQC survey is just one of the ways we gather feedback. The results show where we have improved, but also where more focus is needed.”

She highlighted a trial that allowed birthing partners to stay 24/7, and changes to the way information is given to families.

“When we work in partnership and listen to women and their families we can deliver tangible improvements,” she said. 

“We know this may not be everyone’s experience, but where things are working well it’s important people know that.”

Sarah Saxby, Transformation Midwife at UHP, said the Trust works closely with the Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to review survey comments.

“The results are reassuring in many areas, but we know there is more work to do so that we get it right for more women and their families.”

Lara Grigg, Senior Lead at the Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, said:

“We welcome the progress made in key areas and look forward to continuing our work together to address areas where further improvement is needed.”