Trust Board Febuary 2010 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBTB (2/10) 035 (a)
In contrast, fathers at a Children’s Centre stay and play focus group in Sandwell unanimously
expressed the view that it was not important for births to take place in Sandwell, as safety was
their prime concern. Interestingly they were the only group to express this view.
5.2.2 Issues raised by men
Choice
A recurring view from men was that it is important to have a choice where to give birth, as one
commented on the questionnaire: “As an expectant father I would not be happy at the prospect
of travelling to City (would be much more inclined to travel to Walsall Manor). I understand the
need to have everything under one roof logistically, but feel that this should be located more
centrally to allow ALL people in Sandwell fair access to the unit. I fear that many births will now
move away from the unit, with people choosing Walsall Manor or Russell’s Hall instead. My
overriding feeling is that there is no choice. The decision has already been made”.
Men in focus groups mentioned that online reviews and feedback on hospitals had informed
their partners’ choice of where to go to give birth. Sandwell and City both had poor reviews,
whereas Russells Hall and Birmingham Women’s both had good feedback from patients one
man commented “Would not use City, crossed it off list last time because of online reviews.”
Most men concurred with the view that City Hospital was too far to travel and inconvenient for
families, particularly non-drivers: “I think relocating all maternity services to City Hospital is
impractical. Health Services are supposed to be accessible to everyone; however City Hospital is
in Birmingham and not local to a lot of Sandwell patients.” And “City would be last choice”
(father in Tipton).
Facilities
Men feel it is important to have comfortable, spacious rooms for giving birth, that have facilities
for making drinks/seating/shower for example. Several mentioned the need for more birthing
pools, especially if more women would be coming into City Hospital from Sandwell.
Staff
Men reported that it is important that staff are helpful, supportive, sympathetic and give a
good standard of care. They also felt that there should be adequate resources and that staff
had time to give women individual support and attention. Men expressed a range of views all of
which identified that women should be properly looked after and attended to.
Home Births
Men expressed number of opinions about home births. Some focus group participants felt that
home births would be fine, as long as the hospital was not too far away, and they felt City
Hospital would be too far. One man expressed the view that if Sandwell wasn’t available, a
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