The maternity team at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised once again for providing supportive, respectful and high-quality care, following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s 2025 Maternity Survey.
Feedback from women and birthing people who gave birth at the hospital earlier this year places the RUH better or much better than most hospitals in England across 28 key questions. Respondents highlighted feeling listened to, respected and supported throughout pregnancy, labour and beyond.
The annual survey asks people about every stage of their maternity journey, from antenatal appointments through to labour, birth and postnatal care.
Among the areas where the RUH performed particularly strongly were choice and information, with families saying they felt fully informed when deciding where to give birth. Antenatal checkups also scored highly, with many reporting they were given enough time to ask questions and that any concerns were taken seriously.
Support during labour was another standout. Respondents said they received timely advice when contacting the hospital, partners were welcomed and involved, and staff responded quickly to any concerns during labour. Communication was also praised, with staff introducing themselves and speaking in a clear and reassuring way.
Postnatal care emerged as a major strength this year. Families described being treated with kindness and understanding on the ward, with staff listening closely and taking personal circumstances into account. The RUH also achieved strong results for mental health support during pregnancy and for respecting parents’ decisions about feeding their babies.
Zita Martinez, Director of Midwifery at the RUH, said, “We are delighted to see such positive feedback from the people we care for. It reflects the dedication and compassion of our maternity team, who work tirelessly to provide safe, personalised care for every family.”
She added, “We listen and learn from every survey and this year we’ve really focused on how we can make postnatal care even better, so it’s especially pleasing to see we’d further improved lots of our scores in this area. Knowing that women and birthing people feel listened to, respected and supported throughout their journey is incredibly important to us. While these results are reassuring, we will continue to learn and improve so that every experience is the best it can be.”
The full survey results can be found on the CQC website.
