Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To collect data on the problem of communication within a particular hospital in order to find, apply and test some possible solutions. Respondents were maternity patients.

Main Topics:

Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions Length of time since left hospital, most striking aspect of experience in hospital, whether booked to have baby delivered in hospital, original intention. If booked: source of suggestion to go into hospital, whether hospital clinic attended before birth, whether council antenatal clinic attended, frequency of clinic visits and opinion of service. Frequency of visits to doctor during pregnancy, whether doctor held special ante natal clinic, opinion of service. Classes/lectures/films or discussions attended (where, who with, reasons for non-attendance). Whether respondents considered enough information was given before hospital entrance, assessment of helpfulness of doctors/clinics/hospital staff/others. Whether information on what to take into hospital and visiting times was provided, whether labour and maternity wards had been visited previously, whether any booklets or leaflets sent to respondent before hospital entrance, time of admittance, whether help given to find way around, number of beds in ward, number of doctors who visited patient (rank), opinion of doctors/nurses and midwives. Whether sufficient staff on duty, opinion on access to information about self and baby. Type of information respondent wanted to know. Knowledge about labour, persons present, whether general anaesthetic given, difficulty or complications during birth, medication and treatment given during hospital stay, care given after birth. Mother/baby contact, whether felt competent to look after baby, any advice or instructions given concerning baby's own welfare at home. Attitude of hospital staff to giving information, discussion with hospital staff/patients, visits to almoner. Anxiety level, visits to clinic since discharged from hospital, number of home visits from medical or welfare visitors, number of visits to own GP, whether GP visited respondent during hospital stay, details of home help, satisfaction with hospital stay. Husband's welfare. Background Variables Age, number of persons in household, husband's occupation

No sampling (total universe)

Face-to-face interview