Two CQC inspections have found some improvements in maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
However, the CQC is taking urgent action to protect people using the trust’s urgent and emergency services.
CQC carried out unannounced focused inspections of the trust’s maternity services at both the Princess Royal Hospital and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 15 and 16 April 2019.
These inspections found that staff vacancies and staff sickness were a concern to maintain a safe and appropriate workforce to meet the needs of the women.
But the trust took action to ensure improvements were made and, when CQC returned to inspect the maternity services during November, inspectors found that, while more work is still needed, staffing had increased, and morale and governance had improved.
November’s inspection is part of a wider inspection which includes the trust’s other services. This is yet to be completed but a full report, including ratings, is due to be published next year.
This inspection also includes the trust’s urgent and emergency services and medical wards where inspectors found a number of serious concerns. As a result, CQC is taking action to protect people using the service. This action is open to appeal.
Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said:
“At our current inspection we have found that the trust had taken action as a result of our last inspection in April and that this had resulted in a number of improvements.
“We found that in the maternity service staffing had improved, as had morale and governance. Patients also told us that staff were kind and compassionate but, more work is needed and we will return to carry out further checks on this service.
“In contrast to this, inspectors highlighted serious concerns at the emergency departments and medical wards at the Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital during the current inspection. As a result, CQC has taken further urgent action at the departments to protect the safety of patients.
“We are monitoring the trust extremely closely and continue to work with NHS England and NHS Improvement with regard to the trust. Our monitoring of the trust will include further inspections and we will not hesitate to take further action if needed.”
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is currently rated Inadequate overall.
We are monitoring the trust extremely closely and continue to work with NHS England and NHS Improvement with regard to the trust.
Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals