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Maternity matters: choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service
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Document type:Guidance
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Author:Department of Health
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Published date:3 April 2007
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Publication format:A4
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Product number:278867
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Gateway reference:7586
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Pages:56
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Supersedes/replaces:
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Copyright holder:Crown
Maternity matters: choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service is for commissioners, service providers and other organisations involved in the provision of maternity services. It builds on the maternity services commitment outlined in Our Health, Our Care, Our Say and is an important step towards meeting the maternity standard set out in the Children’s NSF.
Maternity matters highlights the Government commitment to developing a high quality, safe and accessible maternity service through the introduction of a new national choice guarantee for women. This will ensure that by the end of 2009, all women will have choice around the type of care that they receive, together with improved access to services and continuity of midwifery care and support.
What’s in it for commissioners and service providers?
- Advice on how commissioners and providers of services will be able to use elements of the health reform agenda to facilitate improvements and innovation in the maternity services they offer.
- Guidance on the local action that needs to be taken by PCTs to lay the foundations for future improvements, as documented in The NHS in England: operating framework for 2007/08.
- A self-assessment tool for commissioners, published in tandem with Maternity Matters, to help PCTs and their partners ensure local maternity services meet population requirements and address health inequalities.
Self-assessment tool kit
The equality impact assessment
A full equality impact assessment for Maternity matters: choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service has been completed. Further guidance is available below:
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