Maternity Services at the Women and Children’s Hospital, which is part of Hull Royal Infirmary, was previously deemed inadequate by the Care Quality Commission in 2023 after it was reviewed as part of the CQC’s national maternity inspection programme. This is the worst possible rating that the services could be given, with being described as a “chaotic environment which was not fit for purpose”. If you would like to read the CQC report, please follow the link below:

Hull Royal Infirmary – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)

As well as raising concern about issues with management, leading to long delays, there was concern surrounding staff training, with there being no policy in place outlining what training was mandatory and how often it should be completed. Such a finding is utterly shocking, as it is vital that staff have the necessary training in order to help them to identify and deal with any problems at the earliest possible opportunity. Instead, the CQC found that staff “did not always identify and act quickly to prevent deterioration of women and birthing people at risk”

Also, and perhaps most worryingly of all, the CQC found that the “design, use of facilities, premises and equipment did not always ensure women and birthing people were safe”. An example of this is that there was no neonatal resuscitaire on the antenatal day unit, meaning that there was no immediate support available to give breathing assistance to a baby, should it be required.

It was clear from the review that significant changes needed to be made to the maternity services in order to ensure that safe care is provided and in spite of assurances being made by the Hospital Trust that these changes would be prioritised, it appears that they have not been forthcoming. It is immensely disappointing that, approaching 2 years after the CQC inspection, the significant and immediate action has not happened and that women, birthing parents and their children are still not receiving the standard of care that they entitled to expect.

It is understood that a crisis meeting is being held in order to seek to address the ongoing failings in respect of maternity serviced and whilst any action is welcomed, people will still continue to suffer avoidable harm in the meantime, given that meaningful change will not happen overnight.

We are here to support those who have suffered such harm and to fight for the justice and answers that are rightfully deserved. If you or a loved one believe that you have received substandard care and have suffered injury and loss as a result of this, please contact our experienced and empathetic medical negligence team to discuss how we can help