Report on Maternity services in North Somerset

According to statistics obtained from the North Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, there were 2178 births in North Somerset in the period April 2014 – March 2015.  

The majority of these births took place at St Michaels Hospital or the North Bristol Trust hospitals of which only Southmead Hospital and Cossham Hospital have maternity facilities.  

In this period, 233 births took place at Weston Area Health Trust Ashcombe Birth Centre, amounting to just over 10% of the total births in North Somerset. This is a midwife led unit, and although a much larger number of expectant mothers receive their antenatal care at this unit, most opt to have their baby elsewhere where a consultant and emergency facilities are available.  

Healthwatch North Somerset considered that based on feedback received from the public a more thorough evaluation of maternity services would be useful.

Although a number of negative comments were received, the majority of feedback was of a positive nature.  

Healthwatch North Somerset considers this should be celebrated and best practice shared.  

It is of note that 33 of the local Healthwatchs have identified maternity services as a key priority to review since 2013.