Baby death NHS trust reaches 'turning point'

Two maternity units in Kent have shown signs of improvements three years after a damning independent review found up to 45 babies might have survived if they had received better care, a report has said.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report rated maternity services at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate as good, two years after they were downgraded to inadequate.

The CQC said "significant improvements" had been made at both units to safety, leadership, culture, the environment and staffing levels.

Tracey Fletcher, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said the report was "an important milestone in our continuing work to improve our services".

The changes to the classification of the two Kent units came after an unannounced inspection in December.

Serena Coleman, CQC's deputy director of operations in Kent, said: "We found significant improvements and a better quality service for women, people using the service and their babies.

"This turnaround in ratings across both services demonstrates what can be achieved with strong and capable leaders who focus on an inclusive and positive culture."

Kaye Wilson, chief midwife for the South East at NHS England, said: "This report marks a turning point for services at East Kent and is the result of the commitment, determination and sheer hard work of midwives, obstetricians and the whole maternity team."

In the South East, two other maternity services are rated as Good - Medway Maritime Hospital and Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury and Royal Sussex in Brighton are rated as Inadequate.

Maidstone Birthing Centre, Crowborough Birthing centre, St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, Worthing, Eastbourne and East Surrey hospitals are all rated as Requires Improvement.

Only one maternity unit in south-east England is rated as outstanding - Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, Surrey.

The CQC report said concerns remained about the size of labour rooms, which were not always big enough to include essential equipment like infant resuscitation devices.

Sarah Hayes, chief nursing and midwifery officer at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said the improvements were "important for our families, staff and our communities".

The trust's overall rating and the overall rating for both hospitals remain unchanged, and rated as requires improvement.

It said it planned to start a rebuild of the maternity unit in Margate later this year.

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