Mums-to-be asked for views on maternity services

They are ostensibly designed for women, are used by the majority of women and are predominantly run by women - now at last the State is to ask women what they think of the country's maternity services.

From early next year, all new mothers are to be invited to take part in a major survey jointly planned by the HSE, Department of Health and HIQA, the health service standards authority.