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Maternity hospital where 10 women died admits three more deaths |
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28 April 2008 |
A hospital maternity unit where 10 women died is to be investigated after three more deaths have been reported.
Northwick Park hospital in north west London was placed under special measures after the previous scare, in 2005.
A hospital maternity unit where 10 women died is to be investigated after three more deaths have been reported.
Northwick Park hospital in north west London was placed under special measures after the previous scare, in 2005. After the hospital was taken into special measures the Healthcare Commission later praised the hospital for its 'significant improvements'. But after three more deaths in the past 10 months the hospital's procedures are once more under urgent review.
The hospital refuses to give further details of the deaths, citing patient confidentiality. However, a spokesperson claims there is no evidence of problems with the care the deceased patients received. The Healthcare Commission is aware of the latest deaths.
'It was clear from the Commission's report into the hospital's previous problems that there were simply insufficient resources committed to deal with high risk cases, and not enough consultant obstetricians, midwives and dedicated theatre staff,' explains Sandra Patton, a specialist lawyer in maternity cases and part of kester Cunningham John's clinical negligence team.
'The quality of care was also criticized in nine out of the 10 previous deaths. Since then there has apparently been major investment in resources at the hospital, which makes this latest development quite inexplicable and all the more worrying.
'Women anticipating the birth of a child should not be placed in the invidious position of having to worry about their safety at a time when they have so many other concerns.'
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