A service evaluation of a specialist migrant maternity service from the user's perspective

Background Meeting the complex needs of pregnant migrants requires an innovative approach. Migrant women's experiences and opinions should directly guide service development if these needs are to be met effectively. Aims To evaluate the specialist migrant maternity service provided by Kings College Hospital London based upon users' experience and satisfaction. Methods A qualitative service evaluation via semi-structured, multi-lingual, in-depth interviews with 10 service users. Data was analysed using a general inductive approach for thematic analysis. Findings Positive aspects: access to midwife and referrals, provision of essentials and transport, respect and kindness of caregivers. Negative aspects: poor maternal nutrition, lack of access to hygienic infant-feeding equipment, lack of social support building and lack of service signposting. Conclusion Women conveyed a high level of satisfaction with the service. The negative aspects that persist are, arguably, not within the immediate remit of the maternity team, yet they negatively affect the health of these women, and therefore merit awareness raising if holistic care is to be achieved. Seven service recommendations have been made.