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For the London borough of Camden, a needs assessment was the first step to providing quality maternity care that meets local needs.
Needs assessment
As the implementation framework for the National Service Framework for children, young people and maternity services (standard 11) (Department of Health, 2007), Maternity Matters states that: 'Commissioners and providers involved in planning maternity services must take into account... the diversity of the local population to ensure that the very best care is available.' Options UK aims to strengthen services, increase access and improve the quality of health and social care at all levels of the health system, to improve the health and quality of life of women and their families. In 2009, Options undertook a needs assessment in the London borough of Camden to assist the local NHS and other relevant partners in understanding the health and social issues women of childbearing age and their families face.
The aim was to assess the extent to which maternity service providers were achieving the recommendations set out in Maternity Matters and to identify the specific unmet needs of vulnerable women and women at higher risk of poor outcomes. In addition, it identified national and local barriers to implementing quality services. It did not set out to provide solutions, as these should be developed by the people involved in delivering them so that there is local commitment to carrying out action plans.
Methods
Mixed methods were used to obtain the evidence:
* Review and analysis of relevant literature and service data, including analysis of the 2007 Healthcare Commission review of maternity services in England (Commission for...