Maternity services rating downgraded by watchdog

Epsom and St Helier Hospital was downgraded from 'good' to 'requires improvement'

Maternity services at a Surrey hospital have been downgraded by inspectors to "requires improvement".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded Epsom and St Helier Hospital NHS Trust from "good" due to crumbling facilities, safety lapses and staffing issues.

The watchdog's report found the safety in the maternity service to be "inadequate".

A spokesperson for the hospital said they "have already taken the steps to improve" the service.

Managing director of the trust, James Blythe, had previously told the Epsom and Ewell Health Liaison Panel that he was “disappointed” with the CQC report.

“The hospital has a really strong service and what the CQC identified are processes we need to get stronger at," he said at a meeting earlier this month.

Visiting the hospital in August 2023, the CQC found the staff working in transitional care for babies who require extra support “did not have the qualifications and competence for the role they were undertaking".

'Ageing estate'

The CQC also described the environment in some areas as ‘not fit for purpose’.

A spokesperson from Epsom and St Helier hospital said: “Our priority is to ensure women and birthing people receive the best possible care, and we have already taken steps to improve and strengthen our maternity services.

“This new rating is partly a reflection of our ageing estate, and – while the care they receive is safe – mums, babies and other patients deserve better."

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