A report undertaken by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into the provision of maternity services at Northwick Park Hospital has recently been published, highlighting several areas of concern.
The report recommends that the hospital should no longer be allowed to train midwives.
The NMC is also considering the role of the London region Local Supervising Authority (LSA), the body responsible at a local level for ensuring that midwives meet the NMC's standards, and the statutory supervision of midwives in relation to events at Northwick Park Hospital.
The report; "Report on the Nursing and Midwifery Council's extraordinary visit to the maternity services at Northwest London Hospitals NHS Trust", looks at the suitability of the learning environment within maternity services at the hospital, and at the Northwest London Hospitals NHS Trust.
The report was commissioned following special measures that were put in place at Northwick Park by the then Secretary of State for Health, John Reid. These special measures followed an investigation by the Healthcare Commission (HC) into maternal deaths within the hospital.
Up to eight women are believed to have died after giving birth at Northwick Park Hospital.
Alexander Harris represents the family of Premalatha Jeevagan who died after giving birth to her first child at Northwick Park Hospital. The family are pursuing a clinical negligence claim against the hospital.
Solicitor Louise Forsyth, who represents the family said:
"This report raises more questions about the level of care given to pregnant women at Northwick Park Hospital.
"Statistics for women dying at this hospital are more than five times higher than the national average. This is a very worrying figure, and more needs to be done to look into the reasons behind it, and put in place changes which will prevent similar tragedies occurring again."
BackRelated news stories
- 23/08/2006: Investigation into maternity services at Northwick Park Hospital - Healthcare Commission publishes final report
- 11/08/2006: Maternity failings at Royal Cornwall Hospital result in baby death
- 31/01/2006: Bolton Royal Hospital is investigated after three Women die in childbirth
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