UK MUM Awards 2025
Celebrating excellence in maternity and neonatal care
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Nominated by Sharon Andrews
Winning Categories:
- Improving Staff Retention and Wellbeing
Through continuous learning, professional development, and a culture of safety and support, significant strides have been made in enhancing maternity outcomes, providing high-quality care for women and their families and enhancing staff experience
This trust have clearly made a serious commitment to supporting their staff. It is easy to underestimate the profound nature of working in maternity, and this trust in putting in psychiatric support has demonstrated its insight and dedication to patient safety in supporting all it's staff in the their well being and mental health in a really commendable way.
The Nomination:
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has made a significant investment in maternity staff, focusing on improving safety on the frontline by investing in the workforce.
The Trust has increased the number of Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) roles from three to twenty in the last three years. This increase in PMA roles has been instrumental in enhancing the support available to midwives, ultimately leading to better patient care.
OUH has also focused on staff wellbeing and psychological support. The Trust has increased psychiatric support from 0.5 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) to 1 WTE and developed a Trauma Pathway in collaboration with Oxford Mental Health and Perinatal Mental Health teams.
The Workforce Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy outlines the Trust’s commitment to advancing equality and creating an inclusive environment for all staff members. This includes 2.0 WTE dedicated roles and initiatives to support diverse staff and ensure that everyone feels valued and respected. By fostering an inclusive culture, OUH not only supports the well-being of its workforce but also enhances the quality of care provided to patients.
OUH has significantly increased the capacity of its bereavement team to better support families experiencing loss. The bereavement team has been expanded with the addition of another midwife. This expansion has been crucial in meeting the growing demand for bereavement support services, including the Rainbow Clinic. The refurbishment of the Delivery Suite bereavement room and the establishment of a seven-day service have further enhanced the support available to families.
Through continuous learning, professional development, and a culture of safety and support, significant strides have been made in enhancing maternity outcomes, providing high-quality care for women and their families and enhancing staff experience. This is evident in a reduced turnover rate and an improved staff satisfaction measured through ‘say on the day’ feedback mechanisms.