Review of maternity services published

The review of maternity services across all 150 Trusts in England by the Healthcare Commission was prompted by a series of investigations in to the deaths of women in maternity units. When publishing ‘Better Births’, which contained conclusions and recommendations from the review, the Healthcare Commission urged the NHS to redouble efforts to improve maternity services by enhancing the quality of clinical care and the experiences of women.

The regulator had carried out three separate investigations into deaths at maternity units during a two-year period. The investigations found recurring issues – such as inadequate staffing and poor teamwork – suggesting a systemic national problem. In addition, maternity services accounted for one in ten requests to the Commission to investigate particular trusts.

In compiling its report, the Commission has for the first time thrown a spotlight on services from the start of pregnancy, through labour and birth, to postnatal care. It has drawn together information from all NHS maternity units in England and conducted surveys of some 5,000 maternity staff and more than 26,000 mothers. The survey of mothers was the largest ever carried out, making the experience of women central to the assessment.

The report says most women have a generally favourable view of services with, for example, 89 per cent rating care during labour as good or better. But there were significant differences between trusts, with this figure being 96 per cent in one trust and 67 per cent in another.

The report identifies aspects of care that were less good, with concerns in antenatal and postnatal services, as well as in hospitals. It points to significant weaknesses nationally that correspond with earlier investigations, particularly in relation to staffing and teamwork.

Commenting on the report Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:

“This unacceptable level of care must be addressed as a matter of priority. We cannot tolerate a situation where women are regularly being turned away from neonatal units, some with seriously ill or premature babies. Staff shortages are putting midwives under an increasing amount of pressure, and many women around the country are not receiving good enough care. The Government needs to stop burying its head in the sand and launch a national review of capacity in maternity services.”