Maternity unit levels reviewed

10:53am Thursday 17th July 2008

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STAFFING levels at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital maternity unit have come under fire in a national review by a health watchdog.

A study into maternity services published last week by the Healthcare Commission, rated the Romsey Road hospital's maternity unit as poor for its levels of staffing, scoring just one out of five.

Other areas highlighted as below standard were the percentage of women offered informed choices for screening, and the percentage of women who were unable to attend antenatal classes.

Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital's maternity ward was also criticised in the review.

It was scored one out of five for the availability of recommended screening, and two for pregnancyrelated deaths. Both hospitals scored two out of five for the quality of support and care for babies following discharge, as well as postnatal care of babies.

But both also received praise in other areas, including choice of antenatal care and extent of choice in labour.

The Royal Hampshire County Hospital also scored four out of five for the level of staff training, while the Princess Anne was awarded five for staffing levels and integration of support workers.

Janie Pearman, head of midwifery at the RHCH, said: "Since the report was published we have appointed seven new whole time equivalent midwives and a more recent patient survey audit has shown excellent results.

"We know that we are on course to a higher rating next time."

But Unison health Hampshire branch vice-secretary David Prout said more needed to be done to improve maternity services across the region.

He said: "There is often a link between crises and low levels of staffing.

"That the report flags it up for Royal Hampshire County Hospital is not surprising.

"Although both hospitals scored better in other areas, it is our opinion that full rounded care is not yet there, and that maternity services need improving."

Overall, Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust was placed in the "fair performing" category.

Last December both 29-year-old Jasmine Pickett and 39-year-old Amy Kimmance gave birth at the RHCH on the same day, but died of Group A streptococcal infections days later.

Investigations are still continuing into their deaths, but a spokesman for Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS, which is responsible for running the hospital, stressed both deaths appeared to be coincidental and unconnected to the hospital.

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