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CQC find ongoing safety concerns
Following the latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust’s maternity services have been rated as requires improvement.
This is an improvement on the Trust’s 2023 rating of inadequate, but the inspection confirmed that patient safety is still a concern.
What concerns were highlighted?
The CQC highlighted the following concerns:
- No coordinated approach for the care provided.
- Visible leadership by the obstetric medical team was poor.
- Escalation if an induction of labour was required was poor.
- Handover of care was ineffective.
- The birthing centre did not have easily accessible resuscitation equipment.
Concerns have also been raised about staff culture as it did not always promote the values of the Trust and staff did not feel able to speak up or raise concerns.
What has changed since the 2023 inspection?
The CQC welcomed some improvements that have been made since the 2023 inspection, including senior midwives being in place, hourly ‘fresh eyes’ being completed, and monthly audits taking place.
The issues raised are unfortunately not new and have been seen across the country in the various maternity investigations in Morcombe Bay, Shrewsbury & Telford, East Kent and Nottingham.
The Trust says ‘"We have taken these reports seriously and will use the recommendations as further opportunities to improve and learn, in addition to the changes we have already put in place.’
The full report can be found here - Royal Derby Hospital HTML report for assessment LAP-01584 - Maternity - Care Quality Commission.
Kirsty Dakin, Associate Solicitor at MDS and Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor, said ‘It is promising that UHDB have made some improvements to their maternity services but there is still more to be done to ensure that maternity services in Derby are safe. I represent families across the East Midlands in relation to maternity claims and everyone would like to see safer maternity services for all to ensure there is no further harm to families.’
