Trust Board Febuary 2010 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBTB (2/10) 035 (a)
“Although I have chosen Option 3 because it seems the least centralised option I do have
concerns regarding distance between community birthing centre and main hospital.”
3.3 Influences on option choice
The questionnaire used in focus groups asked people to identify what had influenced their
choice when thinking about the three options for the reconfiguration of services. Table 4
identifies the factors taken into account. While this is limited to the people who attended a
focus group and who answered this question, it is presented here as it may be helpful to
understand what factors focus group participants took into account when making their option
choice.
Table 4 Factors that potentially affect option choice.
Influencing factors Number
%*
Influencing factors Number
%*
It’s closest to where I live
64
(43%)
I like the sound of a midwife-led
birth unit
55
(37%)
It’s easy to get to by car
35
(24%)
I might be able to have a baby in
Sandwell
32
(22%)
I might be able to get specialist
antenatal care in Sandwell
28
(19%)
It’s close to relatives and or friends. 25
(17%)
It’s easy to get to on public transport 24
(16%)
It has a good reputation 21
(14%)
I know people who have given birth
there
15
(10%)
Other 15
(10%)
Close to work 6
(4%)
*Percentages have been rounded up or down
3.4 The importance of giving birth in Sandwell
A small number of respondents welcomed the proposal to transfer all birth services to City
Hospital. The following reasons were given:
• Dissatisfaction with standards - “Maternity services in Sandwell are currently very poor. I
am pleased that a review has been initiated.”
• Poor reputation – “I would only ever use Walsall hospital only and would not use
Sandwell hospitals as I know of too many bad experiences at Sandwell hospitals,” and
“(My) daughter had a horrendous experience in Sandwell.”
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