Somerset Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership
Project case study
15 steps to good maternity and neonatal care in Somerset
SMNVP regularly visits Somerset maternity and neonatal services with a team of service user volunteers to review services from the perspective of those who use them.
During the visits in July 2024, a group of current and recent service users and Somerset MNVP staff and volunteers used the NHS England’s 15 Steps toolkit to observe first impressions of the care environments and interactions with staff. They identified strengths and areas for improvement across five key themes:
- Welcoming and informative
- Safe and clean
- Friendly and personal
- Organised and calm
- Accessible and inclusive.
The report outlines key recommendations for each hospital, including suggestions for improved signage, decluttering and refreshed décor, accessibility for people with mobility issues, and the introduction of more personal touches in the hospital environments to create a warmer, less clinical and more inclusive atmosphere.
Find out more:
15 Steps for maternity and neonatal in Somerset: Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton
“I want to say a very big thank you to Somerset MNVP and their service users who have given up their time to visit our maternity units at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital.
“It is incredibly important to hear the voice of mothers, pregnant people and families, and we will incorporate this feedback into our ongoing work to improve our maternity services. This includes positive feedback about areas that are welcoming – and that we may be able to replicate – and feedback about areas that we need to improve.”
Get in touch
If you have questions or feedback about any aspect of our work or maternity services in Somerset, please get in touch:
somersetMVP@evolvingcommunities.co.uk