An innovative approach to help improve maternity care has been launched in London.

Evidence shows that in the capital, maternity outcomes are worse than in some other parts of the country and many women report poor experience of care particularly around communication and consistency of caring attitudes.

To tackle this, London’s Maternity Strategic Clinical Network has developed a new project to give midwives and other maternity healthcare professionals greater insight into the effect of their actions on women at this key moment in their lives.

The project includes workshops, based on the experiences of women and their families which help staff and users explore key local issues, share ideas for best practice and identify any changes needed. The emphasis of the project has been to ensure that people using maternity services are treated with dignity, compassion and respect at all times.

Building on the workshops, a short three minute film has been created depicting real life examples of how the actions of NHS staff members have affected women in their care. It explores every stage of pregnancy, encourages maternity professionals to stand in the shoes of women and their families to promote understanding, compassion and improve professional practice.

It is hoped the film will be shown at local and national training events and the workshops rolled out across the country throughout 2015 to bring about real improvements in maternity care across the board.

Kath Evans, Head of Patient Experience – Maternity, Newborn, Children and Young People for NHS England said: “What we really want to do with this film is to bring on that light bulb moment, to help midwives and doctors remember that giving birth is a momentous occasion and that by taking the time to treat everyone as an individual, to consider their needs carefully and spend time talking to them with patience and respect, they can make this significant moment in someone’s life even more special.

“Even the most helpful and caring people have off days but with this film we are hoping to give staff another reason to reconnect with the people they come into contact with every day. “

Bernie Nipper, Supervisor of Midwives at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust said: “When you’re working in a busy maternity ward it can be very easy to forget that the women and families in your care are experiencing one of the most special but potentially nerve-wracking moments in their lives so far.

“Watching this film has helped me to think more carefully about how my words and actions affect the people around me and I would strongly encourage my colleagues across the country to watch it.”

Felicity Smith, Chair of the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust, Maternity Services Liaison Committee added: “I gave birth in December 2012 and the majority of my care was fantastic. The midwives and staff were very approachable and encouraged me in the start of my journey as a mum and I decided to get involved in this project to share my mixed experience to make maternity better and make those delivering services think carefully about how their actions and words are perceived.

“Every woman deserves to have the best possible birthing experience, no matter their background or choice of birth, which is why this film and new programme of workshops is so important.”