Views sought on Eastbourne DGH maternity services

Eastbourne DGH, District General Hospital. July 19th 2013 E30007P SUS-150104-121632001

Women and their families who have experienced maternity services at Eastbourne DGH are being asked to share their opinions '“ in a bid to improve the department.

Healthwatch East Sussex is reviewing maternity services provided by East Sussex Healthcare Trust, which also runs Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the service as ‘inadequate’ in September 2015 – after inspectors found staffing issues, failures to respond to patients’ fears and anxieties, ‘ineffective’ communication and problems with cleanliness checks.

While safety and leadership in the maternity department were rated ‘inadequate’, it received a rating of ‘good’ for being caring.

The trust is now working to improve maternity services, against the concerns raised in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – which is being monitored and managed through a Quality Improvement Plan.

Healthwatch East Sussex has formed a task group of more than 70 volunteers to work with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, to increase patient and public engagement with the trust’s hospitals and contribute to its improvement plan.

Julie Fitzgerald, director for Healthwatch East Sussex, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for not only Healthwatch East Sussex, but for the trust to encourage women and their families to feedback their views and experiences.