Following an inspection from last August, the report outlines a range of issues, including delays to emergency C sections and questions over risk management at the hospital.
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00:00 A warning notice for a hospital whose maternity services are at risk of causing harm.
00:06 A new report from the Care Quality Commission has found birthing services at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury inadequate.
00:14 The report highlights concerns around delayed C-sections, unnecessary blood loss and staff not completing mandatory training.
00:22 The Commission says the issues rest with those running the services at the trust.
00:27 I think really it's around the leadership and the governance of the organisation.
00:33 So it's really important that there's a strong governance process and system in place so that they really understand what's happening to women and babies.
00:43 So they do lots of auditing, that they know where there might be problems within the service, where they need to focus attention on in more detail.
00:52 So it's about making sure there's really good oversight of the service.
00:56 These feelings are echoed by SANS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, who say those booked into those units are likely to be feeling worried and anxious.
01:07 What's very clear is that we need to have the right system, the right culture, the right leadership that's actually supporting staff to provide the care that they want to provide, the safe and personalised care.
01:22 And I think what comes across in this report is that staff want to provide the right care, but if there aren't the right numbers of staff or the right support for them to do so, the right training, it's impossible to do this.
01:37 And I think we really need to address these issues.
01:41 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust have been given a list of mandatory recommendations, which the trust say they have largely implemented since inspection.
01:51 These include the implementation of new guidelines on the induction of labour, additional training on the management of severe blood loss and streamlining the emergency surgery process.
02:03 Trust Chief Executive Miles Scott says the trust has a reputation for continually developing and improving care.
02:11 I want to reassure people using our maternity services that we are addressing all of the issues raised by the CQC and have already implemented the majority of their recommendations.
02:22 Meanwhile, Jo Haworth, Trust Chief Nurse, says that she understands this report may raise questions for people using our maternity services.
02:31 I am working with our maternity teams to use this report, along with feedback from the recent maternity survey, to support the ongoing improvements of the service.
02:41 The Care Quality Commission say they will undertake another inspection later down the line.
02:47 And with mandatory recommendations still to be made, the trust will have to do everything it can to meet those legal obligations.
02:54 Oliver, Leader of the SACS, reporting for KMTV.