Inadequate maternity services upgraded to 'good'

Maternity services at York and Scarborough hospitals have been upgraded from inadequate to good, following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The watchdog said "significant improvements" had been seen across both maternity units, which had been criticised in 2023 over issues around safety measures and staff training.

According to the latest report, staff were called "real life angels" by women in their care and improvements had been made to staffing, baby tagging and incident management.

Sascha Wells-Munro OBE, from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the improved rating was a "proud moment" for its maternity services.

About 4,000 babies are delivered each year at the maternity units at York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital.

The CQC inspection covered five categories - safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led - giving each a rating from inadequate to outstanding.

The two unit were visited between 14 and 17 April, with inspectors upgrading the overall rating at both from inadequate to good.

Gill Hodgson-Reilly, from the CQC, said: "When we inspected maternity services at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we were pleased to see significant improvements across both hospitals.

"Women and their babies are now getting the quality of care they deserve led by kind and dedicated staff teams.

"Women consistently told us staff were kind, supportive and listened to their concerns, with some describing them as 'real life angels'."

The deputy director of operations added women had personalised care plans and felt staff respected their personal needs, with individualised care put in place for women experiencing mental health issues.

Staff described a "strong learning culture" and had changed practice following safety events.

"Leaders and staff should be pleased with the positive findings, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress," Hodgson-Reilly said.

"We'll continue to monitor the trust, including through future inspections, to ensure the improvements are embedded and sustained."

Wells-Munro, who is director of midwifery at the trust, explained colleagues had been on "a significant journey" since the last inspection.

"They have listened, learned and worked incredibly hard to make the changes that were needed, while continuing to care for and support thousands of women, babies and families," she said.

"I have seen first-hand the determination, compassion and commitment they have shown throughout.

"That's why it means so much to see inspectors recognise not only the improvements we have made, but the culture within our services – the teamwork, the learning and, above all, the kindness women experience from our colleagues."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.