The Whittington Hospital

THE NHS regulator has warned a hospital its maternity unit “requires improvement” following an unannounced inspection.

The Care Quality Commission found evidence of large numbers of medical staff – 40 per cent – not having completed mandatory training – particularly when it came to reporting abuse.

There was also concern about there being “no systemic approach” to the way women and “birthing people” are triaged when they call up the ward on the big day.

Inspectors found there was no bereavement suite and policy reviews did not take place when they should have.

The CQC heaped high praise on the unit’s nurses and midwives for their commitment and collaboration, also signalling out the flawless infection control measures and approachable staff.

Its report, however, said: “Not all staff had received training specific for their role on how to recognise and report abuse ….

“However, staff understood how to protect women and birthing people from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so.”

Staff were also properly clued up on procedures and policies and had undertaken “baby abduction drills”.

But the report said: “The service did not always have suitable facilities to meet the needs of women and birthing people’s families.

“The labour ward rooms were not en suite, there was a communal shower and toilets, however these may not always be meeting the needs, privacy and dignity of women and birthing people.”

It added: “Bereaved women and families were cared for in rooms on the labour ward or birth centres and these rooms had not been adequately decorated or furnished with the facilities needed to support them through bereavement.”

The CQC’s last inspection of maternity unit and gynaecology service was in 2016 when the service was judged to be good overall.

The cash-strapped Whittington has been for many years been trying to refurbish its maternity unit for many years.

It said its current £100million plans will “completely transform this part of our hospital with spaces designed around the needs and experience of women and families, including ensuite labour rooms and improved bereavement spaces”.

Responding to the report, Whittington chief executive Helen Brown said: “Whilst we have requested a review of our overall rating by the CQC there is much to be proud of in the overall report of the partial CQC review of the service – in particular our strong focus on our service users, women and families, staff morale and a strong new leadership.

“However, there are also areas where we must focus our attention on making improvements.”