National Results Maternity - National Care Experience Programme

National results - Published October 2020

Most of the women who responded to the survey had an overall positive maternity experience. In total, 85% of participants said that they had a good or very good overall experience.

Download 2020 report Download 2020 HSE response See community response here

Respondents

3,204

Number of respondents

50%

Participation rate

Overall Experience

Very good

Good

Fair to poor

2020

Very good
52% Good
33% Fair to poor
15%

Stages of Care

Care while pregnant (antenatal care)

The highest-scoring question for this stage related to being treated with respect and dignity. The lowest-scoring question for this stage concerned the receipt of information about changes in mental health during pregnancy.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_while_pregnant.svg" alt="care_while_pregnant">

Care during labour and birth

The highest-scoring question related to the involvement of a partner or companion during labour and birth. The lowest-scoring question related to involvement of women in decisions about care during labour and birth.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_during_labour.svg" alt="care_during_labour">

Care in hospital after the birth

The highest-scoring question related to being told who to contact after discharge. The lowest-scoring question related to ‘debriefing’ and the opportunity for women to ask questions about their labour and birth after their baby was born.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_after_the_birth.svg" alt="care_after_the_birth">

Specialised Care

The highest-scoring question related to women’s overall rating of the care their baby received. The lowest-scoring question related to receiving sufficient emotional support.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/specialised_care.svg" alt="specialised_care">

Feeding

The highest-scoring question related to respect for decisions about how women wanted to feed their baby. The lowest-scoring question related to support and encouragement provided to women with feeding their baby while in hospital.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/maternity_feeding.svg" alt="maternity_feeding">

Care at home after the birth

The highest-scoring question related to being treated with respect and dignity at home after the birth. The lowest-scoring question related to the time spent by the GP practice nurse/midwife discussing mental health at the 6-week check-up.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_at_home_after_birth.svg" alt="care_at_home_after_birth">

Stages of Care

Care while pregnant (antenatal care)

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question for this stage related to being treated with respect and dignity. The lowest-scoring question for this stage concerned the receipt of information about changes in mental health during pregnancy.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_while_pregnant.svg" alt="care_while_pregnant">

Care during labour and birth

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question related to the involvement of a partner or companion during labour and birth. The lowest-scoring question related to involvement of women in decisions about care during labour and birth.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_during_labour.svg" alt="care_during_labour">

Care in hospital after the birth

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question related to being told who to contact after discharge. The lowest-scoring question related to ‘debriefing’ and the opportunity for women to ask questions about their labour and birth after their baby was born.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_after_the_birth.svg" alt="care_after_the_birth">

Specialised Care

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question related to women’s overall rating of the care their baby received. The lowest-scoring question related to receiving sufficient emotional support.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/specialised_care.svg" alt="specialised_care">

Feeding

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question related to respect for decisions about how women wanted to feed their baby. The lowest-scoring question related to support and encouragement provided to women with feeding their baby while in hospital.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/maternity_feeding.svg" alt="maternity_feeding">

Care at home after the birth

HIDE

<img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open lazyload" data-src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw=="><noscript><img class="open" src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/icons/chevron-down-blue.svg" alt="Downward arrow">

The highest-scoring question related to being treated with respect and dignity at home after the birth. The lowest-scoring question related to the time spent by the GP practice nurse/midwife discussing mental health at the 6-week check-up.

<img src="https://yourexperience.ie/wp-content/themes/hiqa/dist/assets/illustrations/care_at_home_after_birth.svg" alt="care_at_home_after_birth">