Stevenage maternity service rated inadequate

The Care Quality Commission has warned that care at the maternity unit of the Lister Hospital in Stevenage “falls short of what women should be able to expect”.

The service has seen its rating drop from good to inadequate following an inspection by the health watchdog.

The trust has said a “detailed improvement plan” would be implemented.

The CQC inspection in October found women and babies were not receiving the standards of care that “they have a right to expect”.

A report said there was insufficient staff to “provide good care” and while training was provided to all workers, “steps were not taken to ensure everyone completed it”.

It went on to say that people could not access the service when needed and that staff did not always assess risks to women and act on them, adding that equipment needed more regular servicing and cleanliness must improve.

Carolyn Jenkinson, head of hospital inspection at the CQC, said she was “very concerned by the deterioration in the quality and safety” of the Lister’s maternity care, which “falls short of what women should be able to expect.

“This drop in quality and safety was down to insufficient management from leaders to ensure staff understood their roles, and to ensure the service was available to people when they needed it.

“Our inspection found the service lacked enough staff to provide good care and keep people safe.

“This was worsened because training targets weren’t being met, meaning even when there were enough staff, they didn’t always have the right skills.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record.  The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as a Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win, no fee solicitors for free legal advice on Freephone 0800 304 7382