STAFFING levels at Winchester's
Royal Hampshire County Hospital
maternity unit have come under
fire in a national review by a
health watchdog.
A study into maternity services
published last week by the Healthcare
Commission, rated the Romsey
Road hospital's maternity unit
as poor for its levels of staffing,
scoring just one out of five.
Other areas highlighted as below
standard were the percentage of
women offered informed choices
for screening, and the percentage
of women who were unable to
attend antenatal classes.
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Southampton's Princess Anne
Hospital's maternity ward was also
criticised in the review.
It was scored one out of five for
the availability of recommended
screening, and two for pregnancyrelated
deaths. Both hospitals
scored two out of five for the quality
of support and care for babies
following discharge, as well as postnatal
care of babies.
But both also received praise in
other areas, including choice of
antenatal care and extent of choice
in labour.
The Royal Hampshire County
Hospital also scored four out of five
for the level of staff training, while
the Princess Anne was awarded
five for staffing levels and integration
of support workers.
Janie Pearman, head of midwifery
at the RHCH, said: "Since
the report was published we have
appointed seven new whole time
equivalent midwives and a more
recent patient survey audit has
shown excellent results.
"We know that we are on course
to a higher rating next time."
But Unison health Hampshire
branch vice-secretary David Prout
said more needed to be done to
improve maternity services across
the region.
He said: "There is often a link
between crises and low levels of
staffing.
"That the report flags it up for
Royal Hampshire County Hospital
is not surprising.
"Although both hospitals scored
better in other areas, it is our opinion
that full rounded care is not yet
there, and that maternity services
need improving."
Overall, Winchester and Eastleigh
Healthcare NHS Trust was
placed in the "fair performing" category.
Last December both 29-year-old
Jasmine Pickett and 39-year-old
Amy Kimmance gave birth at the
RHCH on the same day, but died of
Group A streptococcal infections
days later.
Investigations are still continuing
into their deaths, but a spokesman
for Winchester and Eastleigh
Healthcare NHS, which is responsible
for running the hospital,
stressed both deaths appeared to
be coincidental and unconnected
to the hospital.
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