Report: Maternity Services

Report - 11 May 2026

The maternity services project began in July 2025 and was developed in partnership with key stakeholders. We also worked closely with NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) colleagues to identify suitable survey questions for service users and their carers.

Healthwatch Bromley initiated this maternity services project in response to feedback obtained from engagement visits, representation on reference groups, and input from local stakeholders.

Focusing primarily on King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) service users, the project aimed to gather evidence and feedback on access to maternity services, to help bridge gaps and elevate the standard of maternity delivery to meet evolving needs.

The project focussed on the perspectives of service users, recognising their invaluable insights into service delivery. We heard from 242 people about their experiences. Of these:

  • 82% shared feedback about maternity services at the Princess Royal University Hospital
  • 239 identified as women (including trans women
  • 53% were aged between 25 - 34 years
  • The majority (60%), were White English/ Welsh/ Scottish/ Northern Irish/ British
  • 62% were on maternity leave
  • 27% lived in the Bromley Town Ward, 19% in Orpington.

Whilst the majority (92%) of survey respondents rated their overall experience as positive, we made 7 recommendations to continue to improve service user experience. 

Healthwatch Bromley would like to thank everyone who shared their feedback both online and during patient engagement visits. We would also like to thank King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for their cooperation in allowing the data collection to take place, and for the formal response to our recommendations - you will find this attached to the back of the report.

Photo: Jonathan Borba

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HWB Maternity Services Report and Response
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