Sheffield maternity hospital issues reassurance to women as CQC launches investigation

The investigation which will lead to the full report being published is ongoing, however a number of issues were highlighted in the initial findings, submitted March 12.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has said that it has already addressed many of the issues raised.

The issues the Trust said were raised included: how it learned from incidents and responded to data; the regularity of testing of security processes; and assessment processes.

Professor Chris Morley, Chief Nurse, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Firstly I want to assure women coming into Jessops to have their babies that their care is always our number one priority which is why we welcome internal and external review of our services so that we can continue to provide the quality of care women expect from us.

"Earlier this month we had a visit to Jessops from the Care Quality Commission and we have not had a full report back yet but we have wasted no time in responding to their initial feedback.

"Indeed the majority of the actions they said we needed to take have already been completed.

"For example some of our governance processes needed reviewing including how we learn from incidents and respond to data collected nationally and locally.

"Elements of our assessment process needed further review and more regular testing of our security processes was required. All our security systems have had a full check and robust testing.”

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Professor Morley said: "We have not been told about any issues regarding staff culture or bullying, our mortality or morbidity rates or junior staff not being supervised. Indeed the number of stillbirths at Jessops has consistently reduced over the past five years to its lowest rate.

"Our midwifery staffing level has not declined and we continually monitor and plan so that we can match staffing levels to peaks and falls in demand as well as the skill level of staff on duty.

"We will of course respond to any other recommendations the CQC make in the full report once we receive it because we only ever want to do the best we can for mums and their babies as well as make working in our maternity services a positive experience for our fantastic staff.”

A statement from the CQC said: “We are carrying out a review of quality at Jessop Wing We will publish a report when our review is complete.”