Countess of Chester Hospital maternity care continues to improve

People who gave birth at the Countess of Chester Hospital in February 2024 have reported another year-on-year improvement in their care, as the latest annual Care Quality Commission (CQC) patient survey results are revealed.

Since 2022 the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has risen impressively in the rankings* for this survey and its maternity services are now notably rated around the same as most acute hospitals, according to patients.

Being given appropriate information and advice on risks associated with induced labour was also rated by patients as better than most other hospitals.

Nearly half (48%) of people surveyed about the local hospital have already had at least one birth, meaning they have previous experiences to compare against.

The results demonstrate the success of the newly implemented six-step patient and family experience vision, which has been developed by frontline staff within the Women and Children’s division to enhance care, compassion, and quality.

Since this survey was conducted, the Trust has also gone on to launch a new five-year strategy to transform all services, with the new Women and Children’s Building on track to open in Summer 2025 being pivotal to the continued improvement of family services for generations to come. 

Sue Pemberton, Deputy Chief Executive officer and Director of Nursing & Quality at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“This feedback provides the clearest assurance yet about the maternity care that we provide today, according to our patients.

“Listening to patients and staff has become an integral part of our new approach and through surveys like this we can see already that the improvements underway are being felt by those using our services. We remain focused on being the hospital of choice for local women, children and families by providing exceptional and safe services, and expect when the new building opens in Summer next year that people will feel a further positive transformation in their experience.”

Plans to further improve family care at the Trust have continued this year. As well as surveys, more focus groups are being held to help inform and design how care is provided for families. The recruitment of a new Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership lead is also a key part of the drive to involve people using hospital services in shaping the future direction of care.

More midwives with mental health skills are staffing the wards since last year, enabling more patients to be seen in an integrated way for physical and mental health support. There is also an ambition to create more family time through open visiting, and whilst some changes have been made since this survey was completed, far more opportunity for open visiting will come when the new Women and Children’s Building – which has a lot more single rooms – opens next year.