Maternity services have already been rated \u201cinadequate\u201d by the CQC – now the findings of an NHS England visit to the trust have been revealed.<\/p>\n
A sign outside Leeds General InfirmaryAuthor: Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 5 minutes ago
Last updated 3 minutes ago<\/p>\n
An NHS trust has insisted improvements are being made after a new report raised concerns over the care of women and babies.<\/p>\n
Women felt they were not listened to and some reported painful examinations without proper consent at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. <\/p>\n
Maternity services have already been rated \u201cinadequate\u201d in a Care Quality Commission report (CQC) published in June. <\/p>\n
Now findings from an NHS England visit to Leeds General Infirmary and St James\u2019s University Hospital have been made public. <\/p>\n
The visit in March found areas of good practice, but also a lack of equipment, staff shortages and poor communication. <\/p>\n
At St James\u2019s, two patients felt \u201cdismissed\u201d after multiple visits to the maternity assessment centre. <\/p>\n
The report said: \u201cOne user, after presenting three times with reduced fetal movement, was not offered a scan, later undergoing an emergency caesarean birth due to fetal distress. <\/p>\n
\u201cReports of rough and frequent vaginal examinations were made, without appropriate consent, with one service user expressing that these left her feeling sore and distressed.\u201d <\/p>\n
When the CQC inspected in December and January, concerns were raised over a lack of Cardiotocography (CTG) machines, used to monitor babies\u2019 heart rates. <\/p>\n
During its visit in March, NHS England found that a request for more machines had been rejected by the trust\u2019s finance department. <\/p>\n
The report said: \u201cThe visiting team saw CTG machines being moved between areas to try and accommodate women requiring urgent CTGs.\u201d <\/p>\n
NHS England, which visited as part of its Maternity Safety Support Programme, said it was difficult for patients to find their way around at LGI. <\/p>\n
The report said: \u201cThe maternity services are spread over three floors and signage is incredibly poor.\u201d <\/p>\n
Some patients said they were well treated but others said staff seemed overwhelmed. <\/p>\n
The report said: \u201cFamilies on the postnatal ward talked about delays in discharge without clear communication.\u201d <\/p>\n
Concerns were also raised over bereavement services, including families facing long waits for information following their baby\u2019s death. <\/p>\n
At LGI families were having to walk down a dirty corridor used to store clinical waste bins. <\/p>\n
The report said: \u201cA coat of paint and some consideration would work wonders for this hidden part of families\u2019 experience.\u201d <\/p>\n
Leeds Teaching Hospitals said recommendations were being implemented and an independently-chaired improvement board had been set up. <\/p>\n
Chief nurse Rabina Tindale said: \u201cCrucially, we are ensuring the experiences and perspectives of our staff and the families we serve are central to this transformation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise the areas of good practice highlighted in the report, and we are proud of the dedication and compassion shown by our maternity teams every day. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to reassure families due to have their baby with us in Leeds that we are determined to deliver the highest standard of care to everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n