NMS 2014 v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
National survey of women’s experience of maternity care 2014
IRAS ID
144607
Contact name
Maggie Redshaw
Contact email
Research summary
The aim of the study is to examine women’s experience of maternity care in England. It follows on from two earlier surveys in 2006 and 2010 which were of similar design and which will allow comparison over time. In this study a random sample of 10,000 women aged 16 years and over who have a live birth in a two week period in April 2014 will be drawn by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from birth registrations. Checks will be made by ONS to ensure that women whose baby has died are not included in the study. This study will use a questionnaire similar to that used in earlier surveys to examine care in pregnancy, labour and birth, and in the postnatal period. It will include both closed and open questions and ask for the views of women and their partners. The questionnaire will be sent by ONS 12 weeks after birth with an invitation letter, an information leaflet and a sheet with information in a range of languages, and a Freephone contact number. Women will be offered the options of completing the paper questionnaire (identifiable only by a unique reference number) and returning it Freepost to the NPEU, or alternatively, an online version using a link from the NPEU website, a unique reference number and individual password. Completed questionnaires will be logged and ONS notified. Reminder letters will be sent to non-responders after 2 weeks, a further questionnaire after 4 weeks, and possibly further reminder letter 4 weeks later.
There are no procedures for the participants or recruitment sites.
The study is funded by the Department of Health, England.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0065
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion