Basildon University Hospital maternity unit rated 'inadequate'

Image copyright PA Media Image caption Basildon University Hospital has been told its maternity services were inadequate after a whistleblower's fears sparked a surprise inspection

High-risk women at a maternity unit were not monitored closely enough and there was a "lack of learning" from a mother's death, inspectors found.

A Care Qualtiy Commission (CQC) report rated the unit at Basildon University Hospital as inadequate with "failings" found in six other serious cases.

Inspectors carried out unannounced checks in June after a whistleblower voiced fears about patient safety.

Clare Panniker, of the hospital trust, said it was "focused" on improving.

The unit was criticised following the deaths of baby Ennis Pecaku in September 2018 and mother Gabriela Pintilie, 36, in February 2019.

Image copyright Family handout Image caption Gabriela Pintilie died hours after giving birth by C-section to her second child at Basildon University Hospital in 2019

The CQC previously carried out an inspection of the department the month Mrs Pintilie died and said the unit, which had once been rated outstanding, required improvement.

In June, inspectors returned for a surprise "focused" inspection after being contacted by an anonymous whistleblower.

They were concerned about babies who had to have specialist cooling treatment, which is sometimes offered to newborns who have had a lack of oxygen during birth.

During their visit, inspectors found:

High-risk women giving birth in a low-risk area Not enough staff with the right skills and experience "Dysfunctional" working between midwives, doctors and consultants, which had an impact on the "increased number of safety incidents reported" Concerns over foetal heart monitoring Women being referred to by room numbers instead of their names A "lack of response by consultants to emergencies" resulting in delays

The CQC also referred to issues relating to the death of Mrs Pintilie, who was not named in the report, and said five serious incidents "identified the same failings of care".

"This demonstrated there had been a lack of learning from previous incidents and actions put in place were not embedded."

However, it also identified several areas of good practice.

Image caption Hospital trust chief executive Clare Panniker said changes were already under way to its maternity services

Ms Panniker, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital, said the serious cases were being investigated independently, £1.8m had been invested in staffing and a new clinical director was in post.

Nine midwives and two consultants had already started working and 20 more midwives would join in the autumn.

She also said its poor workplace culture was "unacceptable" and would not be tolerated.

"We've been really focused in the last few months in making the improvements that mean women can be confident to come and have their babies in the maternity department at Basildon and be very safe in the process," she said.

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