Report says safety at Nottingham maternity unit must be improved

A report by the Care Quality Commission has found that maternity services at a Nottinghamshire hospital are good, but that safety must be improved.

An inspection at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton in Ashfield was carried out in November by the Care Quality Commission, and rated maternity services as good overall, but the safety rating went down from “good” to “requires improvement”.

The trust that runs the hospital said work had begun to make improvements.

The report said the service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe, but added that not all staff had completed mandatory maternity and safeguarding training.

It added that the use of risk assessments in triage was inconsistent and processes and systems in place had the potential to lead to delays in women being assessed and their needs escalated.

Greg Reilly, CQC’s deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said “We found a leadership team that had the skills and abilities to manage the service well.

“There was a positive culture within the service and staff felt respected, supported and valued.

“Both women and staff felt they could raise concerns without fear, and we were pleased to find that leaders were visible and approachable for them to do so.

“However, we did find concerns around safety which leaders must work to address.

“We found that the triage system was ineffective, with a multi-option phone line meaning calls could end up being put through to the labour ward.”

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