The
Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its report following unannounced inspections of maternity services, which found that the risk of poor care was ‘unacceptably high’.
The investigation was into Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRT) identified maternity services problems included poor clinical care, a service operating in isolation and staff vacancies.
The report also cites instances of verbally abusive and unprofessional behaviour by some staff to patients and colleagues.
Louise Silverton, RCM deputy general secretary, said: ‘This report highlights problems as a result of deficiencies throughout the whole maternity system.
‘Where workplace conditions are poor, there are not enough midwives, there is overcrowding and extreme pressure, then is it any wonder that standards of individuals fall.
‘None of us could operate under these kinds of conditions. We cannot though condone poor behaviour by midwives or other NHS staff.
‘There is, however, a point where standards fall well below acceptable levels and action needs to be taken. This seems to be the case in this trust.
She continued: ‘My fear is that situations such as this may happen elsewhere. The birthrate is rocketing, births are more complicated and midwife numbers are simply not keeping pace.
‘We need investment in maternity services and in more midwives from this government so that maternity services are able to meet the demands made on them.’
Action to address concerns was taken ahead of the report’s publication and NHS London responded by putting in place a package of emergency measures.
This includes enhanced professional leadership, a reduction in capacity and an increase in experienced staff leading to an improved skill mix.
On further visits CQC inspectors found the service ‘had been made safer in the short term’, but said the improvements need to be sustainable in the longer term
Mrs Silverton said the action taken by NHS London and the trust is welcome and stressed that ‘women need to know that they can trust these hospitals and maternity services, and that they will be safe when they use them’.
CQC has made a number of recommendations, including a reduction in activity at Queen’s Hospital, and will monitor progress through further unannounced inspections.
Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the CQC, said: ‘In maternity, where we had the most acute concerns, we’ve already triggered urgent action by demanding that the trust and NHS London make immediate improvements to protect women.
‘As a result, a package of emergency measures has been put in place to make the service safer.
‘However, these measures are a ‘quick fix’ - what is needed is genuine and sustainable improvement to ensure that women are safe.’
