Women invited to share maternity experiences in national survey

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill: 'The voices of mothers, especially new mothers, are crucial in the development of better health services.'

New mothers are being urged to take part in the national maternity experience survey, which rolls out this week, so their voices are heard by the health services.

This is the second time the health regulator, Hiqa, has partnered with the HSE and Department of Health to gather personal feedback on the maternity services.

The first survey led to the creation of a network of post-natal hubs around the country because so many women raised concerns about gaps in this care.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill called on eligible women to take part.

“The voices of mothers, especially new mothers, are crucial in the development of better health services,” she said. 

This is an opportunity to place patients, their experiences, and their views at the heart of a health service striving for continuous improvements in delivering quality care

There are now five post-natal hubs including one in Listowel, Kerry. There are plans to have 13 in total.

“We now have an opportunity to build on this work and it is really important that we hear the voices of the women in Ireland who are eligible to have their say in shaping the future enhancement and improvement of maternity services,” the minister said.

The survey covers five maternity hospitals, 14 maternity units, and the National Home Births Service.

Post-natal care

Women aged 16 and over who gave birth in February or March 2025 are being invited to take part. 

They will get a text message invitation about three months after giving birth starting from this week and running until June 30.

The 64 questions cover antenatal care, labour and birth, as well as post-natal care in the community.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said how people experience health services is a key priority for them.

“I strongly encourage women to share their views,” he said.

It is only by listening and learning from lived experiences that we can bring about effective and sustainable improvements

He added: “The valuable feedback guides and drives important actions aimed at continuously improving maternity services into the future.’’ 

The first survey in 2020 saw over 3,200 women take part. Hiqa said this led to “meaningful changes across maternity services". 

Hiqa CEO Angela Fitzgerald said: “Each year, thousands of women in Ireland give birth, each with a unique story to tell. The feedback from this survey will provide crucial insights into the quality of maternity care in Ireland.” 

The data will be used, she added, to identify what is working and find areas which need improvement. Responses will be anonymised and compiled into a national report on the quality of maternity care.

The final report will be published later this year. It will be shared also on www.yourexperience.ie.