Leeds maternity services now 'inadequate' after inspectors act on parents' concerns

Leeds maternity services now 'inadequate' after inspectors act on parents' concerns

The healthcare regulator has downgraded maternity services at two Leeds hospitals from “good” to “inadequate” due to the significant risks posed to women and babies. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) substantiated concerns from staff and patients regarding the quality of care and staffing levels during unannounced inspections at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust. Prompted by these findings, the CQC has issued a warning notice mandating immediate action to improve the maternity and neonatal services at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and St James’ University Hospital.

Over the course of six months, the BBC interviewed 67 families who reported inadequate care at the trust, with several parents noting avoidable injuries or deaths suffered by their babies. The CQC’s downgrade prompted a commitment from LTH to enhance its maternity and neonatal services, acknowledging the need for improvements. The CQC’s inspections in December 2024 and January 2025 revealed regulatory breaches in various areas, including risk management, infection prevention, and staffing, confirming the need for urgent action to address deficiencies.

Specific issues identified in the maternity units included concerns about patient safety and leadership standards, with reports of staff facing challenges in delivering high-quality care due to staffing shortages. The CQC found evidence that LTH had reported various maternity incidents related to staffing shortages, further underscoring the need for improved staffing levels. As the trust works on implementing improvements and recruiting additional midwifery staff, the CQC will continue to closely monitor the services provided to ensure patients receive safe care

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