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Shropshire baby deaths hospital trust in special measures Shropshire baby deaths hospital trust in special measures
(35 minutes later)
A hospital trust being investigated over baby deaths and subject to repeated warnings over patient safety across two sites has been put into special measures.A hospital trust being investigated over baby deaths and subject to repeated warnings over patient safety across two sites has been put into special measures.
It means Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) in Shropshire is no longer trusted to run itself alone.It means Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) in Shropshire is no longer trusted to run itself alone.
The trust was already reporting to a watchdog over maternity and emergency services care at both Royal Shrewsbury and The Princess Royal hospitals.The trust was already reporting to a watchdog over maternity and emergency services care at both Royal Shrewsbury and The Princess Royal hospitals.
SaTH has been contacted for comment.SaTH has been contacted for comment.
The decision follows months of concern over the trust.The decision follows months of concern over the trust.
Issues included an announcement in August that the scope of an independent review into a series of baby deaths - commissioned by the government in 2017 - would be expanded, with concerns raised over what is thought to be more than 100 cases.Issues included an announcement in August that the scope of an independent review into a series of baby deaths - commissioned by the government in 2017 - would be expanded, with concerns raised over what is thought to be more than 100 cases.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has written to local politicians to inform them of the move to special measures.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has written to local politicians to inform them of the move to special measures.
He wrote: "In light of ongoing concerns about the trust's quality and performance and recent concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission, I believe that this is the right decision to take to ensure safe services for patients."He wrote: "In light of ongoing concerns about the trust's quality and performance and recent concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission, I believe that this is the right decision to take to ensure safe services for patients."
Mr Hancock said SaTH would receive support and "enhanced oversight" from NHS Improvement (NHSI).Mr Hancock said SaTH would receive support and "enhanced oversight" from NHS Improvement (NHSI).
NHSI said it was the first time it had put a trust in special measures without a recommendation from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to which SaTH had been reporting over Royal Shrewsbury and The Princess Royal, its sister site in Telford.NHSI said it was the first time it had put a trust in special measures without a recommendation from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to which SaTH had been reporting over Royal Shrewsbury and The Princess Royal, its sister site in Telford.
The CQC said its inspection report on SaTH was due, but it had been minded to recommend special measures.The CQC said its inspection report on SaTH was due, but it had been minded to recommend special measures.
Following inspections in August, the CQC announced in October concerns over patient safety in not only maternity but emergency services.Following inspections in August, the CQC announced in October concerns over patient safety in not only maternity but emergency services.
In response, the CQC ordered the two hospitals to check in weekly over the departments' standards.In response, the CQC ordered the two hospitals to check in weekly over the departments' standards.
On Tuesday, SaTh was hit with a further CQC warning over staffing levels in critical care and concerns over practice on some medical wards.On Tuesday, SaTh was hit with a further CQC warning over staffing levels in critical care and concerns over practice on some medical wards.
Three days earlier, an estimated 3,000 people marched in protest over SaTH's plan to close A&E at The Princess Royal at night, with the trust citing staff shortages for its decision.Three days earlier, an estimated 3,000 people marched in protest over SaTH's plan to close A&E at The Princess Royal at night, with the trust citing staff shortages for its decision.
CQC's chief inspector Ted Baker said: "I believe there is sufficient evidence that the trust will not be able to make all the necessary improvements in the quality of their services without external support and I asked NHS Improvement to put in place all necessary support without delay."CQC's chief inspector Ted Baker said: "I believe there is sufficient evidence that the trust will not be able to make all the necessary improvements in the quality of their services without external support and I asked NHS Improvement to put in place all necessary support without delay."
The NHSI said the special measures came amid a risk to patient care, with challenges faced by the trust including "urgent and maternity care" as well as governance, workforce and whistleblowing issues.
Support is set to include additional funding and troubleshooting the trust's vacancies.