Midwives at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, particularly at the John Radcliffe Hospital, were instructed to work double shifts without sleep, leaving some healthcare professionals awake for over 24 hours, according to a new Care Quality Commission (CQC) report. The report highlights serious concerns about patient safety and staff welfare.
Dangerous Working Conditions
The CQC found that community midwives were redeployed to cover hospital shifts overnight, leading to extended periods without rest. This practice poses a significant risk to patient safety due to fatigue-induced mistakes. Inspectors emphasized that such working conditions are dangerous and unsustainable.
Failure in Triage and Reporting
The hospital failed to triage pregnant women within the nationally recommended 15-minute timeframe, with only 36 per cent assessed on time. Additionally, delays to induction of labour were inaccurately reported: the hospital recorded only 32 incidents despite 206 'red flags' being raised. This misrepresentation masks the true scale of delays affecting patient care.
Inadequate Staffing and Facilities
Leaders at the hospital did not ensure adequate staffing and capacity. As a result, bereaved women were cared for in environments that lacked the required standards for privacy and dignity. The report underscores the need for immediate improvements in resource allocation and management.
CQC Rating Contradiction
Despite these significant concerns, the CQC rated the overall maternity unit at John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospital as 'good', an improvement from 'requires improvement'. However, safety at John Radcliffe's maternity services specifically remained rated as 'requires improvement', highlighting a disconnect between overall rating and specific safety issues.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has launched an investigation into maternity services after families were 'gaslit' over their concerns. The findings of this investigation are expected to lead to further reforms in maternity care across the NHS.
