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The Minister for Women, Equalities and Early Years provided an update on the safety concerns at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. She mentioned that HSIB and CQC reports identified issues such as skilled staff availability out of hours, neonatal resuscitation equipment access, communication efficacy, leadership, and governance. The Government is working closely with the trust to provide immediate support and improve standards over the long term.
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Expressed gratitude for the Minister's prompt actions but requested that the Care Quality Commission report be published soon. He also suggested establishing an independent inquiry to ensure that tragic events like Harry Richford’s death are not repeated.
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Critiqued the trust for its initial denial of the seriousness of the case involving Harry Richford. He asked about the specific support measures, funding sources, reasons for delayed action, accountability within the organisation, and called for a full independent inquiry to address transparency issues.
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Acknowledged NHS England and NHS Improvement's decision to commission an independent inquiry. Emphasised the support provided to the trust, including sending in expert staff for daily huddles and reviewing foetal heart rate measures. Reassured that HSIB would conduct a deep dive investigation of historical issues, with NHS England deciding its continuation alongside the independent inquiry. Stressed the importance of ensuring every delivery takes place in a safe environment.
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Commended Nadine Dorries for her work and expressed hope she would continue as Minister. Raised concerns about transparency versus learning from failures, advocating for independent investigations by HSIB and safe spaces for healthcare professionals to discuss issues openly.
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Expressed gratitude towards the Minister and thanked Jeremy Hunt for his interest. Asked the Minister to consider committing to safe staffing levels as a way to reassure both staff and patients.
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Reiterated that the trust is a safe place for any woman to give birth, with outstanding staff currently working there. Acknowledged recruitment difficulties in remote areas but emphasised the need to reassure constituents about safety.
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Praised Roger Gale for securing an urgent question and thanked Nadine Dorries for her commitment. Asked for assurances that matters of culture, leadership, and management would be addressed in the next stage, including any updates on extending inquests.
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Acknowledged Elphicke's comments and promised a thorough and robust independent inquiry. Emphasised that no stone would be left unturned and the inquiry would cover executive team and board, ensuring full responsibility is taken.
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Asked for reassurances that families suffering from the loss of a child will receive adequate support during their difficult times.
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Congratulated Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent for her work and emphasised that there would be support for grieving families. Mentioned a written ministerial statement detailing measures being taken to ensure robust and thorough actions.
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Complimented the Minister's work and inquired about tackling a culture of denial within trusts, suggesting it was essential for service improvements.
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Agreed with Lucy Allan on addressing the culture of denial. Emphasised that every recommendation from the CQC would be implemented and reassured Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is a safe place for women to give birth.
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Asked Nadine Dorries about meeting members of the all-party group on baby loss to discuss improving investigations. Proposed making maternal deaths a never event.
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Agreed with Victoria Prentis, expressing willingness to meet the APPG on baby loss and stressing the importance of making pre-eclampsia and post-partum haemorrhage never events.
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As a consultant paediatrician, Caroline Johnson acknowledges the Minister's dedication in improving maternity services but highlights that local investigations into baby deaths and adverse outcomes are not shared nationally. She requests assurance on national sharing of lessons learned to prevent future tragedies and questions the culture of the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch process to ensure free communication from medical professionals.
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Nadine Dorries thanks Caroline Johnson for her advice. She agrees that local level investigations may need reviewing and acknowledges the current reliance on HSIB for national dissemination of learning, though it does not engage in every investigation. Dorries suggests a possible model review for maternity services to ensure that lessons are learned and disseminated effectively.