Local Trust does well in NHS maternity review

The review published today looks at whether NHS Trusts provide a high quality, value-for-money maternity service.

Overall East Sussex Hospitals Trust was rated as "Better performing" and not far short of "Best performing."

The Trust's overall score for the review ranked it fourth best in the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority.

The indicators were grouped under three themes;

*clinical focus '“ Does the trust have strong processes and practices to ensure the maternity service is safe and effective? The Trust was ranked as 11th in the Strategic Health Authority.

* women-centred care '“ Are women informed, counselled and supported to ensure that they have a positive maternity experience? The Trust was ranked as the best in the Strategic Health Authority.

*efficiency and capability '“ Is there adequate funding to provide an acceptable service and are management and improvement processes ensuring women get the best care for the money spent? The Trust was ranked as second best in the Strategic Health Authority.

Part of this review included the results of a national maternity patient survey in which local women gave local maternity services a positive "thumbs up."

The proportion of local women surveyed who said their care was "excellent","very good" or "good" was 90% during pregnancy, 88% during labour and birth, and 76% after the birth.

Jenny Carapiet, the Trust's acting head of midwifery services, said: "This is an encouraging review of local maternity services.

"We are particularly pleased to see local women are positive about the services we provide. Their views of our service are very valuable. This review is very comprehensive and we will use this information to improve the service we provide to local women."

The reviews results can be viewed on the Healthcare Commission website www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.