Birthrights has responded to the CQC consultation on new standards for inspection and monitoring of care services. Maternity standards are included in the consultation.
We are particularly concerned that the CQC has robust standards in place for assessing whether or not hospitals are guaranteeing respect for women’s dignity and human rights in maternity care. We know that caring and respectful interpersonal relationships can make the difference between positive and traumatic birth experiences, which have lasting impacts for the mother that can be measured in poor post-natal outcomes, including post-natal depression and PTSD. The new CQC standards need to measure dignity in care explicitly by reference not simply to clinical metrics, but also to values that define respectful care.
Read our full response here: Birthrights response to CQC consultation.