The Care Quality Commission has published an updated report into the Trust’s maternity services which shows a significant improvement.

The CQC inspection team made unannounced visits to the unit in July and again in October 2011 to observe how people were being cared for, talk to staff, review information from stakeholders and talk to the women who used the services.

The CQC said “Overall the feedback from patients was positive with them all feeling that they had received good care and that the staff were kind, helpful and respectful of their dignity. They were positive regarding their births and reported that they were given information and involved in decisions during labour.”

The CQC noted moderate concerns regarding staffing the unit when it is very busy. 

The Trust continues to actively recruit midwives and in the meantime any gaps in the rota are filled by qualified temporary staff to provide 1 to 1 care in labour and a high level of support to mothers after they have given birth.

Chief executive Nick Hulme says, “It’s good that our work to improve the service has been noted. We are not complacent, and there are some issues in this report that we need to work hard to sort out, but I am very proud of all the team has achieved in a comparative short space of time to ensure we continue to deliver safe, compassionate and quality care for mothers before during and after labour.” 

Details can be found on the CQC website here http://www.cqc.org.uk/directory/rj611