New report highlights experiences and priorities of people using maternity services in Scotland
Our organisation has published a new report that includes the views and experiences of people who have recently used NHS maternity services in Scotland.
The feedback will help shape the Scottish Government’s Independent Review of Maternity Services.
The rapid engagement exercise included in person pop-up sessions and online conversation cafes being held to allow people to share experiences and ideas on how maternity services could look in future.
Participants described the importance of feeling listened to, respected, informed and supported throughout their maternity journey. Alongside safe and effective clinical care, compassionate relationships, clear communication and continuity of support were identified as key factors in positive experiences.
The report also highlighted areas where improvements are needed, including staffing pressures, waiting times, communication, coordination of care and postnatal support.
The findings suggest that people want maternity services to consistently deliver high-quality, person-centred care across the whole maternity pathway, from pregnancy through to birth and postnatal support. Participants also highlighted the need for services to demonstrate how feedback, concerns and complaints are used to inform learning and improvement.