Care watchdog rates Hull maternity unit “not fit for purpose”

The Care Quality Commission has rated Hull Royal Infirmary’s maternity unit as inadequate, describing it as a “chaotic environment which was not fit for purpose”.

They added that the “design, use of facilities, premises and equipment did not always ensure women and birthing people were safe”.

Following a series of visits in March and April of this year, inspectors said systems and risks in the antenatal day unit and triage department “were not well managed” leading to substantial delays in pregnant women being seen and a “chaotic environment which was not fit for purpose”.

The watchdog also found just 51% of staff were trained to assess foetal growth despite the trust having a target of 90%, while others did not know how to evacuate a birthing pool in the event of an emergency.

The report went on to say that there was also no neonatal resuscitaire – a device used to give breathing support to babies when needed – on the antenatal day unit and there was no plan in place for how staff could access one in an emergency.

Staff felt unsupported, telling inspectors that “they were not always listened to and following incidents they were not provided with compassion and support from leaders, which can be indicative of a closed culture”.

A spokesperson for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said they were “extremely disappointed” with the outcome of the inspection but acknowledged the findings “in their entirety”.

They added “Since the inspectors visited, we have reviewed all of the areas highlighted by the CQC and we are taking immediate action to address the urgent issues raised in the report.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors and birth injury solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, including cerebral palsy claims and other birth injury claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382