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Showing results for tags 'Maternity'.
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News Article
Life-saving world first NHS test to rule out pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A same-day blood test that can rule out pre-eclampsia, in pregnant women is being rolled out across the NHS in England. The test, known as placental growth factor (PLGF) testing, is already being used in three quarters of maternity units in England. NHS clinical director for maternity and women‘s health Matthew Jolly said: “Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening condition for both mum and baby if left untreated and this is why the NHS takes every precaution possible when soon-to-be mums have some of the early signs, like high blood pressure. This new way of testing means we can rule out the condition in a much quicker and easier way - it removes the stress that comes with the uncertainty around not having a diagnosis and will reassure thousands of pregnant women every year.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 25 August 2021 -
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Trust served with CQC warning notice over ‘culture’ and governance concerns
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has been served with a section 29a warning notice by the Care Quality Commission requiring it to ensure a ‘more positive culture’. A CQC spokeswoman confirmed: “The trust was issued with a warning notice requiring it to take action to improve corporate and clinical governance and oversight of risk, and to ensure a more positive, open and supportive culture across the organisation. We will report on the full findings from the inspection as soon as we are able to.” Although it is still not clear why the warning was issued, the trust is currently engaged in concerns over their accident and emergency department and maternity services. “We accept the CQC’s comments and work is already underway to learn from the findings and make improvements so that the organisation is led as effectively as possible and we continue to provide world class care for our patients.” Nottingham University Hospitals Trust acting chief executive and chief finance officer Rupert Egginton has said. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 18 August 2021- Posted
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News Article1,500 safety recommendations have been made to NHS trusts a year after hundreds of babies were left brain damaged and dozens of mothers and infants died. Safety watchdog Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) has outlined key themes from 760 investigations of maternity incidents, taking over investigations for NHS trusts in 2018 after concerns were raised over the poor quality of investigation by trusts and a lack of involvement in families. Sandy Lewis, associate director of maternity said: “The publication of the HSIB maternity programme year review provides crucial details of the work that has been undertaken in the last year. We would like to thank all of those who have worked with us in the past year, sharing their experiences, insights and expertise. Many families have not only told us their stories but have also trusted our investigators to reflect their perspectives and share their experience. Trusts have responded promptly to this insight, this has contributed to improving safer care of mothers, babies and families across the country.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 16 August 2021
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NHS England maternity services may need overhauling to ensure safety, say experts
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
At a virtual event held by The Independent last night, experts agreed maternity services needed to be overhauled. The panel discussion, NHS maternity scandal: Inside a crisis, laid out the facts surrounding the problems around maternity care and concerns around safety amid repeated examples of poor care in multiple cases. Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife who has been leading the inquiry into maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals explained "I think one of the major issues around maternity services is that we’re not treated in the same way as A&E. I think that people fail to see that actually, maternity is a woman’s A&E department, you can start a shift in any maternity unit, you can plan what you think you’re going to do. But actually you don’t know what is going to come in the front door.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 12 August 2021 -
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CQC found emergency caesarean taking place without basic safety measures
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
After an unannounced inspection at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust in June, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found an “emergency c-section was being performed without the correct equipment available to monitor the mother”. According to reports, the inspectors stepped in immediately to raise concerns, which was then corrected straight away. In a letter to the trust, the CQC wrote, “Overall, we were concerned that the safety culture in the service was underdeveloped. There were no dedicated maternity safety huddles in line with national guidance. Handovers doubled up as safety huddles. During our observations of handovers, we saw that staff did not discuss safety issues and the format was not safety focused.” Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 6 August 2021- Posted
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Pregnant women urged to get jab as majority unvaccinated
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, England's chief midwife has sent a letter to midwives, obstetricians and GP practices urging them to encourage pregnant women to get double-vaccinated. "Vaccines save lives, and this is another stark reminder that the Covid-19 jab can keep you, your baby and your loved ones, safe and out of hospital." Dunkley-Bent has said and recommends advice on jabs be offered at every opportunity. Read full story. Source: BBC News, 30 July 2021 -
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Nurses drafted in to shore up understaffed maternity unit
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Nurses are being drafted in to an NHS hospital to help support the maternity unit due to dozens of midwife vacancies. According to the Royal College of Midwives, they were worried the staff shortages were becoming more widespread as the NHS are becoming more desperate to fill the vacancies, however, the College has warned against using registered nurses instead of midwives as it could have an impact on the care of women and babies. Amid staff shortages at Basildon Hospital, there is now an active consideration to move planned caesarean sections to Southend Hospital, part of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. One worker has said “Basildon doesn't feel like a centre of excellence at the moment. I worry that flooding a department with newly qualified midwives and agency workies is a recipe for patient harm.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 28 July 2021 -
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Midwives reveal their fears for the safety of mothers and babies
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Midwives working at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust have told The Independent that "women are still at a risk of harm". This comes after Nottingham hospitals were investigated after it was found there was a high number of baby deaths and injuries on the maternity ward. However, midwives have revealed to The Independent that there are still not enough resources and support to help women deliver their babies safely. One midwife working in the community told The Independent: “They keep saying ‘We’ve learned our lessons, it’s not like that now’ – but it’s even worse now. It’s worse because we know about it and it’s still bad. Women are still at risk of harm. Even more so in the community.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 25 July 2021 -
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 -
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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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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 -
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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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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 -
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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 -
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£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 -
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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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