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Basildon University Hospital maternity unit rated 'inadequate' Basildon University Hospital maternity unit rated 'inadequate'
(32 minutes later)
A maternity unit has been rated inadequate after a "lack of learning" from a mother's death led to the "same failings" in new serious cases. High-risk women at a maternity unit were not monitored closely enough and there was a "lack of learning" from a mother's death, inspectors found.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors turned up unannounced at Basildon University Hospital, Essex, after a whistleblower voiced fears. A Care Qualtiy Commission (CQC) report rated the unit at Basildon University Hospital as inadequate with "failings" found in six other serious cases.
The watchdog told the department to improve last year, but returned due to concerns about six cases this year. Inspectors carried out unannounced checks in June after a whistleblower voiced fears about patient safety.
Clare Panniker, of the hospital trust, said it was "focused" on improving.Clare Panniker, of the hospital trust, said it was "focused" on improving.
The unit was criticised following the deaths of baby Ennis Pecaku in September 2018 and mother Gabriela Pintilie, 36, in February 2019.The unit was criticised following the deaths of baby Ennis Pecaku in September 2018 and mother Gabriela Pintilie, 36, in February 2019.
The CQC inspected the department the month Mrs Pintilie died and said the unit, which had once been rated outstanding, required improvement. The CQC previously carried out an inspection of the department the month Mrs Pintilie died and said the unit, which had once been rated outstanding, required improvement.
In June, inspectors returned for a surprise "focused" inspection after being contacted by an anonymous whistleblower. Inspectors returned for the surprise "focused" inspection after being contacted by an anonymous whistleblower.
They were concerned about babies who had to have specialist cooling treatment, which is sometimes offered to newborns who have had a lack of oxygen during birth. The report found babies were born in a poor condition and then transferred for cooling therapy, which can be offered for newborn babies with brain injury caused by oxygen shortage during birth.
The CQC said it could not provide further information on the individual cases as it may identify the people involved.
During their visit, inspectors found:During their visit, inspectors found:
The CQC also referred to issues relating to the death of Mrs Pintilie, who was not named in the report, and said five serious incidents "identified the same failings of care".The CQC also referred to issues relating to the death of Mrs Pintilie, who was not named in the report, and said five serious incidents "identified the same failings of care".
"This demonstrated there had been a lack of learning from previous incidents and actions put in place were not embedded.""This demonstrated there had been a lack of learning from previous incidents and actions put in place were not embedded."
However, it also identified several areas of good practice.However, it also identified several areas of good practice.
Ms Panniker, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital, said the serious cases were being investigated independently, £1.8m had been invested in staffing and a new clinical director was in post.Ms Panniker, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital, said the serious cases were being investigated independently, £1.8m had been invested in staffing and a new clinical director was in post.
Nine midwives and two consultants had already started working and 20 more midwives would join in the autumn.Nine midwives and two consultants had already started working and 20 more midwives would join in the autumn.
She also said its poor workplace culture was "unacceptable" and would not be tolerated.She also said its poor workplace culture was "unacceptable" and would not be tolerated.
"We've been really focused in the last few months in making the improvements that mean women can be confident to come and have their babies in the maternity department at Basildon and be very safe in the process," she said."We've been really focused in the last few months in making the improvements that mean women can be confident to come and have their babies in the maternity department at Basildon and be very safe in the process," she said.
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