Improvements focus on privacy, comfort, and communication for expectant mothers and families, based on user feedback.
By Aisha Mahmood
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of a hospital maternity triage area with comfortable seating and private consultation spaces.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has upgraded its maternity triage services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford to improve privacy, comfort, and communication for women and families.
Feedback from women and families, gathered by the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), highlighted the need for more comfortable waiting areas, greater privacy, and shorter waiting times. In response, SaTH's maternity services team has reconfigured the maternity triage area within the inpatient antenatal ward.
Key improvements include the introduction of a dedicated waiting room for women attending maternity triage, new confidential spaces for clinical handovers and discussions, and a separate office for maternity triage staff. The location of maternity triage within the inpatient antenatal ward remains unchanged, as does the access procedure for the service.
Women more than 16 weeks pregnant experiencing concerns about their pregnancy are welcome to attend maternity triage. While calling ahead is encouraged for advice or to confirm the need for a visit, it is not mandatory.
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"We know coming to maternity triage can be an anxious time, so we’re pleased to be making improvements that will create a more welcoming, private and comfortable environment for women and their families, while also giving our staff better facilities to support the care they provide. We hope these changes will make a real difference to women’s experience, and we’d like to thank our MNVP for helping us gather the feedback that shaped these improvements."
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"Families told us they want a maternity triage environment that feels welcoming, comfortable and private, especially when they may be feeling worried or unwell. It is encouraging to see the maternity team respond positively to what families told us, and this change reflects a shared commitment to improving care and experiences for women and their families."
These enhancements are part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to delivering excellent maternity and neonatal services. Recent initiatives have included strengthening co-production with service users, investment in workforce development, and continuous efforts to improve the quality, safety, and experience of maternity care.
For advice or support, women can contact their midwife, GP, or NHS111. The maternity triage service can be contacted directly after 16 weeks of pregnancy on 01952 565948.
