WOULD you recommend your friends and family have a child at the John Radcliffe Hospital?

That is the question that new mums will be asked from next month as a new patient feedback system is rolled out throughout Oxford University Hospital NHS Trusts maternity wards.

The ‘friends and family test’ was launched in April and is already in place at the trust’s accident and emergency and adult inpatients departments.

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron launched the test last year to identify patient experiences and encourage staff to make improvements.

Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, chairwoman of Oxfordshire watchdog Patient Voice, said: “The test is a good idea and it is splendid they are extending it to maternity. Any opportunity that the public have to comment on their care must be good.”

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “As with the other patients for whom this has been brought in, it’s a good thing to get feedback from mothers on their experience of antenatal care, birth and post-natal services.”

The first friends and family results were released earlier this year.

In June, OUHT’s emergency departments, after a survey of 783 patients, were given a score of 56, with 499 extremely likely to recommend the service, 197 likely, 13 unlikely and 14 extremely unlikely. Forty two people answered ‘neither’ and 18 people said they did not know.