City's maternity unit upgraded to 'good' rating

The CQC said users' feedback about the maternity service was "mainly positive"

Bradford's maternity service has been upgraded to a "good" rating after having previously been deemed by the health watchdog to need improvement.

The latest report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) described Bradford Royal Infirmary's maternity unit, where about 6,000 babies are delivered every year, as "well-led, safe and caring".

Inspectors from the CQC, who visited the unit in September, said it had made progress since it was graded as "requires improvement" in 2024.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the unit, welcomed the news, with its chief executive giving "heartfelt thanks" to its staff.

'Culture of quality'

Among the features praised by the CQC was the trust's recruitment of 41 newly qualified midwives to "ensure there were enough staff to meet the needs of the service".

According to the CQC's report, feedback from mothers who had used the service was "mainly positive", with women reporting that "staff were helpful, accommodating and polite".

The CQC also said that community midwives "built trusted relationships with vulnerable and high-risk women" to ensure they received safe care throughout their pregnancies.

Prof Mel Pickup, chief executive for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to our colleagues in maternity services for helping us continue to develop a culture of quality that is embedded in our work every day and reflects the trust's aim of delivering outstanding care for parents."

In September, the trust was named as one of 14 NHS organisations to be investigated over maternity failings dating back 15 years as part of an independent inquiry set up by the government.

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