Kernow Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership
Project case study
15 Steps to good maternity and neonatal services at Royal Cornwall Hospital
In October 2023, Kernow MNVP visited the Royal Cornwall Hospital and used NHS England’s 15 Steps checklist to reflect on whether the maternity and neonatal settings and staff were:
Welcoming and informative
Safe and clear
Friendly and personal
Organised and calm
Accessible and inclusive.
The visiting group included staff and volunteers from Kernow MNVP and Healthwatch Cornwall, service users and midwives. During the day they observed: Wheal Fortune, Neonatal Unit, Truro Birth Centre, Wheal Rose, Day Assessment Unit and the Delivery Suite.
Their report presents the group’s findings, highlighting what they liked and what they felt could be improved. It includes recommendations for change and reflects on progress made since their previous visits and recommendations.
Kernow MNVP has shared the report with the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) and the hospital leadership team. They will monitor progress made by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and repeat the 15 Steps visit in 2024.
“I can tell what kind of care my daughter is going to get within 15 steps of walking on to the ward.”
“One main issue was signage. This was confusing and overwhelming. It’s unclear what units are from the name (Wheal Fortune), and there are unclear directions on how to get to the wards.”
Read the 15 Steps reports
Get in touch
If you have questions or feedback about any aspect of our work or maternity services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, please get in touch:
info@kernowmnvp.co.uk