New Maternity Charter focuses on the needs of families
A new Maternity Charter which outlines the care parents-to-be can expect at our Women’s Hospital has been introduced.
The agreement, displayed across the site, shares 10 key aims patients and families should experience throughout their maternity journey.
They include:
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Making sure our communication is clear, open and honest.
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Foster an inclusive culture that welcomes, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees, patients, families and visitors.
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Be polite, professional and respectful.
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Ensure your care is personalised and offer choice and control in how your care is planned and received.
Meanwhile, there are eight “asks” of our patients, including:
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Respect the hospital environment.
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They are polite and treat staff with kindness and respect.
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They support us in infection control and prevention.
The charter was developed by Nicola Round, Inpatient and Workforce Matron, and Melanie Brown, Consultant Midwife, as part of a Quality Improvement (QI) project, which is about identifying opportunities to improve the way we work to benefit patients and staff.
Feedback from patients and staff, alongside the Maternity Voices Partnership (MNVP) which is an NHS-working group, revealed they were unclear about what could be expected from their care.
Working with the MNVP and the Patient Experience team, they gathered insights from patients about their experiences and expectations. They also reviewed existing patient information materials and best practices for maternity charters from 23 other organisations nationally.
The updated Maternity Charter had a positive impact on:
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Providing patients and families information on what to expect throughout their maternity care. The clear, concise and visually engaging format has made the information more accessible and easier to understand.
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Building trust by setting clear expectations and fostering open communication.
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Awareness of the charter by displaying it at key points in Maternity departments, ensuring all patients and families have access to the information.
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Reflecting the diverse local community, which has been received well.