Darent Valley Hospital Maternity

06/03/2026

We are pleased to report that our website is back up and running as normal.

Thank you for your patience.

06/03/2026

We are currently experiencing issues with our Trust website.

Our web developers are looking into this and aim to get the issue resolved as soon as possible.

We will update you when the system is up and running as normal.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience during this time.

05/03/2026

February's activity on Walnut Ward (Special Care Baby Unit)...

04/03/2026

The ward accreditation team at Darent Valley Hospital is very pleased to share the fantastic achievement of Cedar ward in their recent accreditation.

They have achieved an outstanding overall score of 93% and have also achieved impressive scores in the 5 CQC domains;

Safe: 96% - GOLD
Caring: 75% - SILVER
Effective: 88% - GOLD
Responsive: 93% - GOLD
Well-led: 100% - GOLD

The ward accreditation is a nationally recognised assessment that evaluates ward/unit based on the five CQC domains; Safe, Caring, Effective, Responsive and Well-led. The programme of accreditation acknowledges the quality of care provided in a hospital ward or unit. It also ensures consistent and high-quality care across all wards and units in the hospital.

Cedar ward's achievement is a testament of their commitment and dedication in delivering high quality care and patient experience. It also demonstrates very strong leadership and team work.

Huge congratulations to Cedar ward!

04/03/2026

February maternity/obstetric activity...

03/03/2026

The national Interim Report into maternity and neonatal services highlights pressures and variations in care across England, including concerns about compassion, communication and unequal experiences for some families.

We know this may leave many families feeling worried — especially those who may already feel they don’t always get the same chances, support or experience as others. Please be reassured that your safety, wellbeing and experience remain our highest priority. We are carefully reviewing the findings and remain fully committed to providing kind, safe and supportive care whenever you need us.

If you are pregnant, have concerns or need advice, please continue to access our services with confidence. We are here for you, and we are always ready to listen.

03/03/2026

Baroness Amos is asking women and families across England to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal care through a public Call for Evidence. Responses to the Call for Evidence will be used to inform the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation’s findings and recommendations.

The Call for Evidence is open for 8 weeks from 20 January until 17 March 2026.

There are two Call for Evidence surveys available:

One for women and people who have been pregnant to share their own experiences of maternity and neonatal services.

One for other people to share their experiences supporting someone through pregnancy. This could include fathers, non-birthing partners, family members, friends, or other support people.

You must be aged 16 and over to respond. If you are under 16, you must complete the Call for Evidence with somebody who is 16 or over.

Please do not include any personally identifiable information in the free-text boxes. All experiences will remain anonymised for evidence processing and use in investigation reports and publications. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Notice, which explains that personal information will not be used to identify individuals.

The deadline for responding to the Call for Evidence is 11:59pm on 17 March 2026.

Respond here: https://www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evidence/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVjA1ZlRqMHFGeHpzdUhKNXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR74KkeFxX7HOBPzSM5PtJc9zdzSYd7FxHaQS_90bvNHXJHJkTeuosrcdxzIUg_aem_L34Leakj9Nz3YLl0ZGYsRw

Baroness Amos is asking women and families across England to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal care through a public Call for Evidence.

25/02/2026

Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership are holding an online MNVP feedback event specifically for Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley mothers who have used the homebirth services at QEH, PRUH and Darent Valley. This can be antenatally only or through to labour and birth.

The purpose is to listen to service users experiences and then feedback to local maternity services on the highlights and any areas for considered improvement.

EVENTBRITE LINK: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982461980149?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/02/2026

January 2026 maternity and neonatal activity...

02/02/2026

We are running a vaccination clinic today, 2nd Feb in ANC (Sapling).
No appointment necessary.

Flu vaccine - Can be given at any time during your pregnancy
Whooping cough - Can be given from 16 weeks pregnant.
RSV - Can be given from 28 weeks pregnant.

19/01/2026

We are running a vaccination clinic today 19th January at DVH in ANC.

No appointment necessary

Flu vaccine - can be given at any stage in pregnancy
Whooping Cough - can be given after 16 weeks pregnant
RSV - can be given after 28 weeks pregnant.

17/01/2026

We are pleased to announce that pregnant women under the care of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust can now book their RSV, flu and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations online.
Complete our self-referral form here: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/maternity/antenatal-care/vaccinations-pregnancy/vaccination-form
Vaccinations during pregnancy offer your new baby the best protection against severe infections. To learn more about vaccinations during pregnancy, please visit: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/maternity/antenatal-care/vaccinations-pregnancy