Brief description of the project

Over the past three years, the CCG has been working with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) to engage with local people, looking at improving maternity services in the city.

In the next stage of this work, we looked at all maternity antenatal/prenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) outpatient services.

Who did we speak to?

We received feedback from 927 people. We used a survey to gather people’s views and the survey was promoted widely including via voluntary sector services, various sites visited by parents and their families, and with the Maternity Voices Partnership Group.

What and how did we ask?

We wanted to understand people’s views on current outpatient maternity services as well as their ideas on what these services might look like in the future.

What did people tell us?

• Many people reported long waiting times to see people in clinic.
• A significant number of people reported that some maternity sites are uncomfortable.
• Many people reported that communication could be improved.
• People told us that continuity of care is very important.
• Parking and associated costs were a significant concern for almost everyone.

What did we do?

• We’re currently looking at how we can use technology to reduce waiting times in our clinics.
• We are making facilities at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI)  more comfortable by introducing a new midwifery-led unity.
• We’re working with healthcare staff and families to implement new technology that will support better communication between clinicians and patients.
• We are piloting new continuity of carer teams, where people will see the same midwife or team of midwives throughout their care.
• Parking costs is a common theme in all our engagements. There will be a cost to park at hospital sites due to existing arrangements; however, these costs will be invested in hospital services. We will continue to review parking at all our sites.

If you have any questions about this engagement please email us at leedsccg.comms@nhs.net or call on 0113 843 5470.

Downloads: