Child birth is a time of joy and excitement for mother and family, but it also can be filled with uncertainty and concern – not just for the first-time parent or mom dealing with an at-risk pregnancy, but for anyone. This experience begins well before labour starts.

Patient experience encompasses the range of interactions that patients have with the health care system, the doctors, midwives, nurses and all levels of staff in the hospital during their antenatal visits, intrapartum period and postnatally.

Understanding this experience is a key step in moving towards patient centred care. The term patient satisfaction and patient experience is often used interchangeably, but is not the same thing.

The key to enhancing experience and satisfaction is to be able to identify key areas of what is being done currently and what is lacking. This has to be done objectively and audited in a timely manner.

This tool if implemented successfully will enhance patient experience.