‘Significant issues’ with Cumbria maternity unit staffing

A new report has highlighted ‘significant issues’ with on-call staff available at a maternity unit.

The Midwifery Workforce Review, prepared for directors at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust, reveals there to be “insufficient staff” to cover the on-call rota at Helme Chase in Kendal.  According to the report, this has led to a suspension in home births and “intermittent” birth centre closure.

The report stated “During this review significant issues have been identified with the Helme Chase community, birth centre and home birth on-call availability.”

Helme Chase is a midwife-led unit based at Westmorland General Hospital, where women who have been identified with an uncomplicated pregnancy, meaning they are unlikely to have complications while giving birth or after their baby is born, can choose to give birth.

Sue Stansfield, interim director of midwifery at the trust, said “We are experiencing some staffing issues at Helme Chase, so there may be times when it is not possible for women or pregnant people to give birth at the unit, but we are viewing this on a daily and weekly basis to limit the impact as much as possible.”

The report added that a review of all closures and suspensions over the last two years was being undertaken.

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors and birth injury solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, including cerebral palsy claims and other birth injury claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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