Several improvements have been introduced in the Royal Bolton Hospital’s maternity department in response to feedback from patients and families.

Bolton Maternity Voices Partnership carried out a "15 steps for Maternity" tour of the unit, which involved a small team of service users, staff and voluntary organisations making suggestions for improvement in maternity areas.

As part of their feedback, they suggested creating a more welcoming and inviting space in the Delivery Suite and Maternity Triage waiting area, including improved seating and decorations as well as birth balls for people to use.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has acted on that feedback, with funding from Our Bolton NHS Charity, to make a difference to women and their families accessing maternity services.

From the feedback, Our Bolton NHS Charity has funded improvements.

Janet Cotton, director of midwifery at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “From the moment women first step in to our department for their pregnancy journey we want them to feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.

“We are grateful for the feedback provided by our Maternity Voice Partnership that includes that of patients and service users to understand what changes would help enhance their experience whilst within our care.

“We’re really thankful to Our Bolton NHS Charity for helping us to make some of the changes already, and we look forward to seeing what else we can do for our patients and service users in the future.”

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Amy Rothwell, chair of Bolton Maternity Voices Partnership, said: “In 15 Steps for Maternity, we visit the maternity ward and aim to see, hear, feel and notice in a way you might not when you’re busy having a baby or working here.

“Then together with the maternity team, we feedback and suggest solutions.

“These things show that you are being treated as an individual and that someone cares.

“There are a lot of people working in maternity that care deeply about others, but there are a lot of new parents feeling uncared for.

“What can we change about this space to make people feel welcome, empowered and valued?

“It’s often the small things that make a difference. It’s a rainbow sticker on your notes when you’re carrying a baby after loss.

“It’s a whiteboard above your bed (with a pen!) where you can write your preferred name and what matters most to you.”

Sarah Skinner, charity manager at Our Bolton NHS Charity, added: “It’s essential to understand how we can best utilise charitable funds to improve the experience of the families we care for, so our heartfelt thanks go to Amy and the team for investing their time in the ‘15 Steps for Maternity’ initiative and providing such valuable insight.

“By working in partnership with Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Maternity Voices Partnership, we’re able to respond to feedback and fund the things that make a difference, when it matters most.”

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