NHS trust maternity services rated inadequate by health watchdog

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. At Queen's Hospital, leaders didn’t make sure staff were up to date with their mandatory training, meaning we couldn’t be certain that staff had the appropriate skills to keep women and people using the service safe Carolyn Jenkinson, Care Quality Commission Carolyn Jenkinson, CQC’s deputy director of secondary and specialist healthcare, said: “When we visited the maternity services at Queen’s Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital, it was disappointing to see such a significant lack of strong leadership. “We found staff didn’t always feel respected, supported, or valued by leaders at both hospitals, with staff at Royal Derby Hospital becoming visibly distressed when we spoke to them due to the overwhelming workloads and lack of clinical and emotional support from them. “At Queen’s Hospital, leaders didn’t make sure staff were up to date with their mandatory training, meaning we couldn’t be certain that staff had the appropriate skills to keep women and people using the service safe.” The service did not always have enough midwifery or medical staff to care for women and birthing people to keep them safe Care Quality Commission The inspections, which took place in August this year, found multiple issues at both sites relating to risk assessments, infection control and ensuring measures were taken to keep patients safe. “We took the CQC’s findings very seriously and made immediate changes, including increased fetal monitoring in labour checks, ensuring we are using clinical best practices, and putting more leadership roles in place to support staff, parents and parents-to-be.