Students withdrawn from a Lincoln hospital will need extra support, says RCM

The RCM is working with the midwifery team at a hospital in Lincolnshire where 11 of its students were withdrawn from placements last week by the regulator.

In total, 82 nursing and midwifery students who were at the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston are affected. The NMC said in a statement that the action follows ‘serious concerns that have formally been raised with the NMC.’ It is understood that the NMC had previously raised concerns about the standards of care within the hospital and a Care Quality Commission report published in May had found the hospital had not met all the criteria relating to the safety and care of patients.
 
The students are from the universities of Lincoln, Nottingham and The Open University.  ‘We are working with the universities to review the suitability of the learning environment at Pilgrim Hospital and to support all students affected at this time,’ said an NMC spokeswoman.

Sylvia Knight, director of nursing and patient services at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust said: ‘The action taken by the NMC was unexpected and we are seeking further clarification regarding the reason for the withdrawal of the student nurses and midwives.’

RCM deputy general secretary Louise Silverton said the action ‘is a cause for concern and most unusual’.  She said the RCM was pleased to learn that alternative placements in the community had been found for the midwife students. However, she added: ‘This experience will have an impact on student midwives’ learning, and their mentors in clinical practice. Teachers in academic settings will need to spend additional time with the students to support them.

‘The RCM has contacted the head of midwifery services who is awaiting the results of further investigations.’