Inadequate maternity care at two hospitals in the region have been highlighted in a recent report by the independent regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Published at the end of November 2018, the CQC report highlighted several concerns about current practices at the maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Failings at the service in Telford included high risk women in labour not always being reviewed on a regular basis and not always reviewed by an appropriate member of medical staff; midwives being unaware of current maternity service plans and inadequate levels of recording early warning signs during pregnancy.
Maternity services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital were found to have no defined pathway for supporting women with reduced fetal movements; a shortage of midwives and women with high risk pregnancies not being assessed, monitored or managed in the correct environment resulting in potentially risky delays.
Birth injuries specialist solicitor Diane Rostron commented: “The findings highlight too many areas of serious concern. The NHS Trust needs to address these immediately in order to avert the risk of further preventable birth injuries and baby deaths in its hospitals.
“Maternity care is rightly under the spotlight in several areas of the country and the government has promised a new package of measures ‘to make the NHS the best place in the world to give birth’. There is some way to go before this ambition is realised. Mums-to-be have a right to trust that both they, and their babies, are in safe hands before, during and after pregnancy.”
At least 100 families are involved in an independent enquiry into potentially avoidable birth injuries and baby deaths at hospitals run by the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (SaTH). The review covers incidents between 2000 – 2017.
Families who believe that they may have suffered an avoidable death or significant birth injury due to medical negligence can contact our friendly team for a confidential chat on 01253 766 559.
