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Today the Healthcare Commission made a number of recommendations to the government to help protect the safety of patients at Northwick Park Hospital's maternity unit.

The Commission wrote to the Health Secretary John Reid today calling for urgent special measures to be taken immediately at Northwick Park Hospital, part of the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust.

Sir Ian Kennedy, the Commission's Chairman, said: "We found serious problems with these services and no longer had sufficient confidence that the Trust could resolve them without external help. Under these circumstances, we must take immediate action to protect the safety of patients."

In the UK an average of around one mother in every 8700 dies in childbirth. Over the past three years, ten women have died at the hospital, where there are around 5000 births a year.

Mrs Jeevagan, 27, died after giving birth to her first child atPhotograph of Mrs Jeevagan Northwick Park hospital in May 2004.

An inquest into her death in February 2005, ruled that Mrs Jeevagan "died following concealed haemorrhage after a caesarean section. The gravity of her worsening condition, with increasing blood loss was not recognised and there was consequent delay in providing necessary treatment, which led to her death" said HM Coroner for Northern District of Greater London.

The family is currently pursuing legal action against the Trust who has admitted a breach of duty and accepts there were failures in the treatment of Mrs Jeevagan.

Mr Jeevagan's solicitor Louise Forsyth of Alexander Harris solicitors said: "Statistics for woman dying during childbirth at this hospital are more than five times higher than the national average. This is a shocking figure which prompts the question how many people have to die before action is taken. The question Mrs Jeevagan's family ask, is could she have been saved if action had been taken earlier."

The Trust has set up an information line for patients: 0208 869 5844 (open between 0900 - 2000 Monday to Friday, 1100 - 1500 Saturday)

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