CQC says maternity staff shortages at Essex trust having impact on patient safety

Following an inspection, the CQC have said maternity units already criticised by NHS inspectors still have “significant staffing concerns”.

 

Inspectors visited Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals in Essex in the summer after issues had been raised.

 

Basildon hospital’s maternity unit was rated inadequate last year due to problems with staffing and leadership.

 

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said 40 additional midwives had been recruited in the last week.

 

A full report has not been issued to the trust, but a summary of the findings in maternity units across its hospitals revealed staffing was having an impact on services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

 

The summary said “Across all clinical areas it was clear that there were significant midwifery staffing concerns which were impacting on the service and staff.  Where possible, this was mitigated using non-clinical staff and flexible working by senior leads.

 

“Midwives were frustrated by the staffing shortages and felt they were not being heard by ward managers.”

 

In 2020, improvements were requested at Basildon Hospital’s maternity unit after a string of safety incidents, including one in which a mother bled to death shortly after giving birth.

 

A spokesperson from the trust said “We are really pleased to say we have around 40 midwives who have joined the trust this week, which will begin to help fill the gaps in midwifery rotas across our sites.”

 

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