MATERNITY services in Gloucestershire are going from strength to strength, according to a Healthcare Commission review.

The review was part of the commission's annual health check and included an independent patient survey undertaken last year.

More than 300 women took part in the survey. All of them gave birth at Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Stroud Maternity or had a home birth in February last year.

The review assessed services under three themes; clinical focus, women centred care and efficiency and capability. Each aspect was given a score from one to five, with five being best performing'.

The overall assessment for Gloucestershire was better performing', narrowly missing a score of best performing' with a score 3.245 out of five.

Paul Byrne, divisional director of Service Delivery for Women and Children, said: "The threshold between better and best performing is 3.26, so the service in Gloucestershire missed out on a best' rating by 0.015.

"This review recognises and reflects the hard work of midwives, medical staff and everyone who works in the maternity departments.

"With the flooding this summer they have faced extra challenges, but this review recognises their enormous efforts and commitment to their work."

Weaker areas highlighted in the review included the homeliness of delivery rooms, for which the NHS in Gloucestershire scored two out of five.

Vivien Mortimore, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's head of midwifery, said: "The rating is a testament to all the staff within the maternity service and I would like to thank each and every one for their continued hard work and commitment to providing high quality care."