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Showing results for tags 'Maternity'.
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News Article
Nottingham maternity scandal: families want independent inquiry
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
More than 20 families have said they want a completely independent inquiry into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. One mother, Hayley Coates has said her baby was delivered with forceps, a fractured skull and was starved of oxygen, suffering major brain injuries after a very difficult labour. An inquest this year found serious failings in the service Hayley received after her baby Kaylan, died of an infection a week later. "I was pushing and pushing and nothing was happening. I kept saying the baby isn't coming and I need to go for a Caesarean, but staff kept saying I was going to have the baby naturally," Hayley has said. NUH chief executive Tracy Taylor has said, "We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to the families who have not received the high level of care they need and deserve, we recognise the effects have been devastating". Read full story. Source: BBC News, 22 July 2021 -
News Article
Maternity services may struggle if Covid-19 rates surge
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Health professionals have warned that if Covid-19 rates continue to rise, Maternity services may struggle to keep running. The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have said home births have been cancelled amid ambulance shortages. Leah Deutsch, a senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, has told The Independent that some women were unable to have their home births during the first and second wave of the pandemic. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 21 July 2021 -
News Article
Action yet to be taken on stillbirth independent investigation
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Now, almost two years after a consultation on inquests into stillbirths was delivered, the government has yet to respond. It has recently been reported by MPs that 1,000 babies die preventable deaths each year due to understaffing and a culture of blame among the maternity ward workforce. However, despite pressure from campaigners and a promise by the government that a response would come in September 2019, it is yet to be published. The Department for Health and Social Care has told Byline Times, “work on analysing the responses to the consultation on coronial investigations of stillbirths has been delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Read full story. Source: Byline Times, 14 July 2021 -
News Article
Unlocking risk for pregnant women
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has warned there may be a risk to pregnant women when next weeks restrictions relax. Experts are warning that infection rates among pregnant women may increase once the restrictions are lifted and encourage them to protect themselves and their families as women who are pregnant are more likely to become severely ill with Covid-19. RCN chief executive Gill Walton, has said: "Along with mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing, vaccination is a vital tool in the fight to protect yourself against this virus. Read full story. Source: BBC News, 15 July 2021- Posted
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News ArticleA new independent inquiry has been launched after reports of mother and baby deaths at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. According to patient safety minister Nadine Dorries, the inquiry will be led externally and will be examining cases going back to 2016. The review has been welcomed by families but they have said they want to be fully involved in the process including setting the terms of reference and making sure it is a truly independent inquiry. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 13 July 2021
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News Article
Another maternity unit downgraded by NHS watchdog
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The Care Quality Commission has downgraded another maternity unit over 'blame culture' and concerns over safety. After an inspection was carried out, Salisbury Foundation Trust , which was downgraded from 'good' to 'inadequate' has been told it must make improvements after concerns were raised about safety and leadership of the maternity unit. Head of hospital inspection at the Care Quality Commission, Amanda Williams has said: “Following our recent inspection of Salisbury District Hospital’s maternity services, we found that women and babies using the service received effective care and treatment which met their needs most of the time. But most of the time is not good enough. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 10 July 2021 -
News Article
Culture of blame prevented staff admitting mistakes, report finds
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new report into maternity safety has found due to a 'culture of blame' lessons haven't been learned. Jeremy Hunt, chair of the Health Committee has said 1,000 more babies a year would survive if the maternity service in England was as safe as Sweden's. Another expert report found a high incidence of brain injuries in maternity units. A new budget has been set out to help reduce the rate of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths and brain injuries by 2025. Read full story. Source: BBC News, 06 July 2021 -
News Article
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust battles to fill 70 midwife vacancies
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
In the wake of the Nottingham Hospital maternity scandal, the hospital is now trying to find 70 midwives to fill vacancies. In recent years, concerns about staff shortages and patient safety has been raised, with staff even writing a letter to the trust board over their fears. A spokesperson from the trust has said “We will endeavour to continue recruiting until all vacancies have been filled, and our staff will continue working tirelessly to improve services for local women and families.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 05 July 2021 -
News Article
1,000 babies die preventable death each year says a report by MPs
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A report by MPs has said 1,000 babies die every year as a result of lessons not being learned and blame being shifted despite a number of high profile cases involving maternity scandals. Jeremy Hunt who chairs the committee has said “Despite a number of high-profile incidents, improvements in maternity safety are still not happening quickly enough". The report also found that women from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to experience a higher rates of stillborn and neonatal deaths. The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment. Read full story. Source: The Guardian, 6 July 2021- Posted
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News ArticleCriminal prosecution is being considered by the NHS care watchdog over the maternity scandal at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. Many babies have died in the maternity unit due to poor patient care and failings by staff. Evidence is now being examined as to whether the trust committed a criminal offence by not following the proper procedures and by not being honest with parents and families about the deaths of the babies. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 2 July 2021
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News Article
NHS chief admits hospital was not a safe environment for mothers and babies
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A leaked message to NHS staff on Thursday revealed Nottingham University Hospitals Trust NHS chief Tracy Taylor, admitted that the maternity ward was not a safe environment for women and babies. In the message, it was revealed that 37 new members of staff have been hired in an attempt to help improve services. She has said: “Improving our maternity services is one of our top priorities and we know how tirelessly colleagues in maternity are working to make those improvements". Read full story. Source: The Independent, 2 July 2021 -
News Article
£2.45 million pledge to improve childbirth care
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
2.45 million has been pledged by the government to improve childbirth care which is due to happen this year. It has been announced that the funding is intended to help NHS maternity staff to improve the safety of the women and babies they care for. Maternity safety minister Nadine Dorries said "I am determined to make sure as many mums as possible can go home with healthy and happy babies in their arms". Read full story. Source: Department of Health and Social Care, 4 July 2021 -
News ArticleWomen forced to give birth alone have said 'the system has completely failed' them. A new report by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service found the Covid rules requiring pregnant women to attend scans and give birth alone has caused widespread distress and anxiety. The research also revealed many women having to attend their appointments online felt it did not meet their requirements at all. The Royal College of Psychiatrists, who released the findings, have said due to a lack of support and resources, the mental health of pregnant women and new mothers is at risk. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 01 July 2021
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News Article
Nottingham maternity: Dozens of baby deaths after numerous errors made
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
An investigation by The Independent and Channel 4 has found dozens of babies have died on the maternity wards at Nottingham hospitals as a result of poor care. The special report tells how families have not had their concerns properly investigated nor has the hospital attempted to learn from previous mistakes. Nottingham NHS is now facing dozens of clinical negligence claims by grieving families, with the trust estimated to have already paid out £91m in damages and legal costs. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 30 June 2021 -
News Article
Ethnic minorities found at higher maternity risks
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The charity Birthright have launched an inquiry into why women from ethnic minority backgrounds are experiencing higher maternity risks. Evidence in the inquiry will be gathered from parents, anti-racist campaigners, midwives and obstetricians. The NHS has said it is working on a new strategy to address inequalities, maternity and neonatal care. Read full story. Source: BBC News, 23 June 2021 -
News Article
£52 million investment to fast track online maternity records
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
England's Chief Nurse has announced every pregnant woman will be able to access their maternity records from their smart phone. The move has been made so that pregnant women will be able to have more control over their pregnancy and will be able to see all the decisions and information made via a smart phone. GPs and health professionals will also be able to access this information, it is hoped that by doing so, it will mean pregnant women will no longer have to repeat information to different clinicians they see whilst pregnant, which may also help improve safety. Read full story Source: NHS England, 17 June 2021 -
News Article
Two more NHS maternity units downgraded
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Two more NHS maternity units have been downgraded by the care watchdog amid safety concerns. The services at Colchester Hospital and Ipswich Hospital were downgraded from good, to 'requires improvement', finding staff shortages at both hospitals. Moreover, it was also found handovers were not sufficient meaning staff were not sharing the proper information about the women and babies. Among the concerns and issues raised, there were problems with team-working, properly recording patient information, and inefficient information systems. Read full story Source: The Independent, 16 June 2021- Posted
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News Article
New clinics set up for pregnant women and new mums with pelvic health issues
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
New NHS pelvic health clinics have been set up to help and support thousands of pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing incontinence and other issues related to the pelvic floor. Women receiving care at 14 new pilot sites will be treated throughout their pregnancy. Among the treatment, women will learn how to perform pelvic floor exercises with a physiotherapist as well as receive advice on diet with continued support and monitoring throughout. Read full story. Source: NHS England, 13 June 2021 -
News Article
COVID-19 saw spike in new mothers seeking help with mental health
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Mental health consultations among new mothers were 30% higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than before it, particularly during the first three months after birth, suggests Canadian research. Study authors noted that postpartum mental illness, including postnatal depression, usually affected as many as one in five mothers and could have long-term effects on children and families if it becomes chronic. They looked at mental health consultations by 137,609 people in Ontario during the postpartum period – from date of birth to 365 days later – from March to November 2020. They found mental health visits to both primary care and psychiatrists were higher than before the pandemic, especially among those with anxiety, depression, and alcohol or substance use disorders. Read full story Source: The Nursing Times, 7 June 2021- Posted
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News Article
'More work to do' to improve Nottingham maternity units
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
More needs to be done to bring maternity units at a city's two main hospitals up to scratch, inspectors have said. In 2020 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found serious concerns at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and labelled the units "inadequate". A new report concluded the trust still has "some areas to address". In October a coroner said the death of Wynter Andrews minutes after she was born was "a clear and obvious case of neglect". Nottinghamshire assistant coroner Laurinda Bower also revealed a 2018 whistle-blowing letter from midwives to trust bosses outlining concerns over staffing levels as "the cause of a potential disaster". In the same month "in response to concerns raised... and coronial inquests", the CQC carried out an unannounced inspection at the hospital and found some staff had not completed training and "did not always understand how to keep women and babies safe", and issued a warning notice over its concerns. Its latest report, based on an inspection in April, found improvements in the way women at risk of deterioration were identified and found documentation and monitoring had improved. However the CQC found a disconnect between online and paper record-keeping and said there were multiple systems in place that led to duplication and errors at times. Read full story Source: BBC News, 28 May 2021- Posted
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News ArticleDetectives are examining a series of baby deaths at a troubled NHS trust as the number of cases being investigated by an independent inquiry nears 200 – making it one of the worst maternity scandals in NHS history. The Independent has learned officers in the serious crime directorate at Kent Police are looking at unsafe maternity care at the East Kent Hospitals University Trust and have held a series of high-level meetings, including with the Crown Prosecution Service. The discussions are believed to centre on the possibility of opening a criminal investigation and bringing charges related to corporate manslaughter and/or gross negligence manslaughter. If this goes ahead, it would be only the second time an NHS trust had faced a corporate manslaughter charge. Today, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was “deeply concerned” about the new revelations and added that this latest scandal showed “deep-seated cultural and systemic issues” in maternity care. Read full story Source: The Independent, 24 May 2021
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News ArticleAlmost a fifth of nurses who left the profession cited a negative workplace culture as a reason for leaving along with almost a quarter saying they were under too much pressure. The nursing regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) warned there could be an exodus of registered nurses after the coronavirus pandemic in its latest annual report. Despite a record number of nurses and midwives joining the profession across the UK, the NMC said pressure on frontline nurses could drive many away. In a survey of 5,639 nurses who left the register between July 2019 and June 2020, the NMC found that after retirement as the most common reason for leaving, almost a quarter of nurses (23%) said they left their jobs because of "too much pressure", leading to stress and poor mental health. A total of 18% blamed a negative workplace culture as the reason to leave. The NMC report warned: “These issues existed before the pandemic, and may well outlast it, further disrupting an already fatigued nursing and midwifery workforce. If not addressed, this could have a significant impact on the number of people we report leaving our register over the next year and beyond.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 20 May 2021
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EventuntilFor the first time, RCOG World Congress will be an innovative and inclusive hybrid event, held simultaneously in London and online. To ensure we continue to support healthcare professionals at all stages across the globe, we wanted to provide a format accessible to all. Our hybrid event will feature a 350 in-person face-to-face event at the RCOG’s headquarters in Union Street, London and a state-of-the-art virtual experience available to all. Both will be linked using our virtual event platform and Congress app for networking, 121 meetings, Q&A, polling and live reactions. Find out more and register
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EventuntilThe results from the Five X More nationwide survey on Black women’s maternity experiences will be officially launching on Tuesday 24th May "No decisions about us, without us" For many years Black women and birthing people in the UK have experienced poorer health outcomes and lower quality of care. This is particularly true within maternity. In the recent MBRRACE reports, clear racial variations in maternal deaths were observed, showing that Black women are four times as likely to die as white women during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum, yet the reasons for the differences in maternal outcomes remain unclear. We believe a crucial step to solving this is to understand how maternity care is delivered from the perspective of women from the Black community. Join us as we delve further into the statistics of this landmark study completed by over 1300 respondents and hear updates from our special guest keynote speakers TBA.
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EventuntilThis free to attend webinar is being delivered by BAPM in partnership with the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) to support the launch of the revised framework for practice on newborn infants who suffer a sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC). Speakers will provide an overview of the new framework, cover ways to support good practice and reduce the risk of SUPC. This webinar is aimed at perinatal professionals who care for babies in hospital in the first week after birth as well as parents. Programme: The Parent Story Introduction to the new framework The SUPC Risk Reduction Pathway Investigating and Managing the Baby after a SUPC Questions Chair: Louise Page, Deputy Clinical Director of Maternity Investigation Programme, HSIB Speakers: Sarah Land, Charity Manager, PEEPS HIE Charity Julie-Clare Becher, Consultant Neonatologist, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Edinburgh Esther Tylee, Infant Feeding Lead Midwife, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust Francesca Entwistle, Deputy Programme Director (Advocacy), UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Rachel Walsh, National Neonatal Clinical Fellow, NHS Resolution Register