(i)

representatives from the Midwifery Service were on the working group that had been set up to look at teenage pregnancies and repeat conceptions;

(ii)

the patient survey (which was anonymous) had been split into 3 categories to specifically target post-natal care and encourage a higher response rate all round, however, an overall return of 54% had established that this had not been the case and the next patient survey would be reverting to its former format;

(iii)

over 30% of pregnant women using Derriford’s maternity services were classified low-level risk and did not need to be in a hospital environment.  A national driver, and one of the Trust’s strategic health targets, was to provide an alternative place of birth and, to this end, a business plan had been put together for providing a purpose-built midwifery unit.  The proposal would be considered by the Trust’s Capital Strategy Group next month;

(iv)

the length of stay in hospital was dependent upon the type and nature of delivery.  However, the results of the patient survey indicated that the majority of women felt their length of stay had been appropriate;

(v)

women were given access to 6 sessions of pre-natal care, one of which focussed on breastfeeding.  These sessions were generally provided at community health or children’s centres;

(vi)

the Hospital’s Trust and Plymouth City Council were working very closely together toward achieving Baby Friendly status for the City.  The first stage of the assessment had been completed and the assessment for the second stage was expected by the end of the year;

(vii)

there were a total of 202 midwives employed by the Trust.  Those working in the Hospital provided care for women from as far a field as South East Cornwall, West Devon and the South Hams.  Those working in the community provided care to women, not only in Plymouth, but from parts of the South Hams, West Devon and down to South East Cornwall;

(viii)

the quarterly report on smoking cessation was currently awaited, however, there had been a definite improvement in take-up since the Smoking Cessation Service had been making contact direct in addition to communicating through the Community Midwives.