NHS Providers responds to CQC maternity report

More work is needed to ensure a positive maternity experience for all, a Care Quality Commission survey shows. 

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"Trust leaders are committed to doing everything they can to see that every mother gets safe, high-quality physical and mental health care and support during pregnancy and birth.

"Enduring inequalities in maternity care and outcomes require urgent attention. The results highlight yet again worse experiences of care for women from ethnic minority communities. Trusts are committed to understanding and rectifying the reasons for this. Getting it right for women from ethnic minority communities means getting it right for everyone. 

"Maternity services have faced years of challenges including workforce shortages and increasingly complex cases. As well as hiring, retaining and training more staff, we need to ensure that maternity teams have the right mix of skills to give women and their babies the best possible care. Patients should be involved in discussions to help shape services and improve trust with communities directly."