Date: 31 October 2011

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is due to publish a report revealing the results of investigations into Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust following concerns over its quality of care after the deaths of two pregnant women.

Investigations into the two deaths found numerous failings, including a failure to administer a blood transfusion, a 25 minute delay in making a cardiac arrest call after the expectant mother was found to be unresponsive and gasping for breath, a failure of staff to spot the signs of a ruptured womb and an attempt to resuscitate the mother with a disconnected oxygen mask.

Further investigations into Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals reported women delivering their babies on antenatal wards, rather than labour wards, severe shortages of staff, and midwives working beyond their expertise.

Samantha Collins, a solicitor in the Ashton KCJ medical team, comments: “There are nationwide concerns about staff shortages in hospitals and the effect this may have on the treatment being provided to patients. As this report highlights, errors being made and expectant mothers are suffering as a result.  What is concerning is the possible extent of the problem. Is this low level of patient care being practised across the board?

The CQC has a broad range of powers, including the ability to close wards and hospitals. It can only be hoped that by bringing such issues into the headlines, further investigations will be instigated and more will be done to ensure patient safety is not being compromised as a result of staff shortages or lack of adequate staff training”.