Investigation of maternity services at New Cross Hospital
23/10/2003
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The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) today announces an investigation into maternity services at New Cross Hospital, part of the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.
The investigation follows a number of serious incidents at the trust's maternity unit and public concern about the quality of care provided at the unit in recent years. Concerns about the service were highlighted by Birmingham and Black Country Strategic Health Authority, which contacted CHI to request an investigation, with the support of the trust and the Wolverhampton City PCT. The trust is currently implementing an action plan in relation to concerns about maternity services, which is being overseen by the strategic health authority and the PCT.
CHI's investigation will look at the systems and processes the trust has in place to ensure the quality and safety of the maternity care it provides, with particular reference to recent incidents. CHI will also seek to establish reasons behind variations in perinatal mortality rates. The results of the investigation should help restore public confidence in this service.
CHI will begin the investigation by collecting and analysing relevant information. Individual and small group meetings will be organised locally to find out about the experiences of women who are using, or have used, the trust's maternity service. Relatives, carers and friends of women who have used the service, local organisations, current and former staff are also invited to talk about their experience of the service.
CHI undertook a routine review of the services provided by the trust in 2000 and published a report in October 2001. CHI looked at the quality of care across the trust and the report highlighted particular concern about the trust's overall arrangements for risk management. The review did not specifically look at maternity services.
Jocelyn Cornwell, Acting Chief Executive of CHI, said "CHI is concerned about the quality of care provided on the maternity unit at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust. Our investigation will look at the trust's arrangements for keeping patients safe and ensuring quality care. We aim to restore public confidence in this service and the findings from this investigation will result in lessons for the rest of the NHS."
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