The Care Quality Commission annual national maternity survey provides a valuable insight into the experiences of those using maternity services. The survey included more than 16,750 women and pregnant people who gave birth in February 2025 across 119 NHS Trusts.
This year’s results show encouraging improvement in many areas, with the majority of respondents (89%) reporting that they were ‘always’ spoken to in a way they could understand by staff providing antenatal care and over four fifths (81%) said that they were ‘always’ given enough time to ask questions or discuss their pregnancy during antenatal check-ups. Furthermore, more than three-quarters (77%) said that they were ‘always’ involved in decisions about their care during labour and birth.
There are also signs of progress in relation to mental health support. Most respondents (77%) said they were ‘definitely’ asked about their mental health during their antenatal check-ups and eighty-three per cent said were given information on how to access support after birth.
However, the results also highlight opportunities for future improvement. Fifteen per cent surveyed felt they were not given appropriate advice and support when they contacted a midwife or the hospital at the start of their labour and eighteen per cent also reported that they felt that they were not taken seriously if they raised a concern during their labour and birth. Moreover, one in 10 survey respondents said they were left alone at a time when it worried them – either ‘during the later stages of labour’ (7%) or ‘during the birth’ (3%).
Those who had higher frequency of contact with the same midwife during their antenatal care, labour and birth, and postnatal care were more positive about their experiences for many of the question areas.
Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“It is encouraging to see that many women surveyed were positive about their interactions with staff, with the large majority given enough time to ask questions and be involved in decision-making, as well as receiving good mental health support being. “However, the results highlight where improvement is needed in other important areas, particularly in relation to women feeling confident they can access the right advice, support and care from the early stages of labour through to birth and post-natal care.
“A well-resourced and well-supported maternity workforce is essential to delivering these improvements, but the reality is that maternity services are under immense pressure. Our recent workforce census found nearly 70% of doctors are working beyond their contracted hours, so we urge the government not to lose sight of funding and workforce in their focus on improving maternity services.”
The CQC annual survey has published in the same week as the national Maternity and Neonatal Safety Investigation interim report, further highlighting the urgent need for improvement to ensure babies, women and families receive high quality and compassionate maternity care, and the tragic outcomes when this is not the case. To read the College’s full response click here.
The College supports maternity safety within the system through its role as an educator: developing the curriculum, raising standards of care through the development of clinical guidance, supporting the career development of clinicians through exams, professional development courses and events, and support services for its members. The College also delivers research and quality improvement programmes that contribute to improvements in maternity safety and as part of its influencing and advocacy activity, ensures system wide improvements are identified and delivered.