The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out two unannounced inspections of services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust after concerns were raised over the safety of mums and babies.
Inspectors examined maternity care at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital over three days in December.
A further three-day inspection was carried out on neonatal services at the two hospitals in January.
Issues found by the CQC included staffing levels and the storage of medicines and breast milk. Formal inspection reports are yet to be published.
Chief nurse Rabina Tindale said: “More than 8,500 babies are born every year in LTH and the vast majority of babies are born safe and well.
“Where this is not the case, we investigate thoroughly, working with families and peer organisations to ensure we share learning.”
At St James’s, the trust was asked to restrict the type of care it provides for some newborns.
Ms Tindale said: “Individuals are still able to give birth at St James’s hospital and babies will receive the appropriate level of care in our Special Care Baby Unit.
“But this does mean that if babies need more than 24 hours of intensive care or high dependency care, they must be transferred to LGI or another unit.”
LTH said that despite national staff shortages, 17 new midwives were expected to be in post in Leeds by the end of April.
Ms Tindale said: “The CQC also identified some issues regarding patient flow, medication management and milk storage, which have all been addressed and resolved across both our neonatal sites.”
Trust board papers show a “formal escalation” meeting was also held with NHS England on January 31.
It led to the trust taking part in an NHS Maternity Safety Support Programme (MSSP) in mid-March.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “The MSSP is a national support offer from NHS England for maternity services where significant concerns have been identified around the safety and quality of care.”
The action from NHS England came after a BBC investigation found that the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers over the past five years may have been preventable.
Whistleblowers raised safety concerns, despite the maternity units being rated “good” by the CQC.
Ms Tindale said: “Following concerns raised by families in the media in January, NHS England carried out a Rapid Quality Review meeting in relation to maternity services, where it was agreed that the trust would take part in a diagnostic visit related to the MSSP.
“We welcome this support, which will help us to make further improvements for the future, and we are waiting for the final report.”
The trust pointed out that areas of good practice were highlighted by the CQC and no immediate concerns were raised following the unannounced visits.
By: Don Mort, LDRS
