EAST Lancashire’s maternity service has received another boost after it was given the best scores in the North West in a patient survey.

The results of the Care Quality Commission study have been highlighted by midwifery bosses at Burnley General Hospital, who are still on a high after receiving a major national award from the Royal College of Midwives.

Anita Fleming, head of midwifery, collated the scores of neighbouring hospital trusts for a local Maternity Service Liaison Committee meeting, and found East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) was the top performer.

And further analysis by the Lancashire Telegraph showed the trust’s scores were the best in the region.

The service, which includes the main maternity centre at Burnley, plus midwife-led birthing units in Blackburn and Rossendale, was rated nine out of 10 for questions about ‘labour and birth’, which included a top score of 9.7 for ‘involving partners’.

It was given a rating of 8.7 for its staff and 8.1 for ‘care in hospital after birth’.

Although the CQC said that nationally, the scores were ‘about the same as most other trusts’, bosses felt a comparison with neighbouring trusts was a more appropriate measure.

Mrs Fleming said: “We are really pleased with the score the trust has achieved in the CQC survey, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff who work within our maternity service. We will ensure that we continue to deliver safe and effective care for all mothers and babies born in the East Lancashire area.”

The scores also showed a significant improvement on the last survey results in 2010, she said.

In January, ELHT was named the ‘Maternity Service of the Year’ at the Royal College of Midwives annual awards, after being praised for supporting staff, promoting ‘normal births’ and reducing caesarean section rates.

And yesterday, staff at Blackburn Birthing Centre celebrated their 3,000th delivery since the unit opened in 2010.