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Maternity Services: East Kent
13 February 2020
Lead MP
Roger Gale
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSEmploymentStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Roger Gale raised concerns about maternity services: east kent in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Response
The Minister responded by confirming that NHS England and NHS Improvement are commissioning an independent review of East Kent maternity services. She also stated that the trust remains a safe place for women giving birth, with ongoing support from experienced clinicians. Discussed plans for an independent inquiry, ongoing support measures, transparency about failures, safe staffing levels, cultural issues within the NHS, and a willingness to meet with all-party groups on baby loss. Agrees with the need to review local level investigations and suggests looking into developing a different model for maternity services. Acknowledges current reliance on HSIB but highlights the necessity of effective dissemination of learning to improve patient safety.
Nadine Dorries
11:06:00
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.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
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.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
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.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Surrey Heath
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.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
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.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Natalie Elphicke
Con
Dover
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.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Asked for reassurances that families suffering from the loss of a child will receive adequate support during their difficult times.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Lucy Allan
Con
Telford
Complimented the Minister's work and inquired about tackling a culture of denial within trusts, suggesting it was essential for service improvements.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Victoria Prentis
Con
Banbury
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.
Nadine Dorries
Con
South East Bedfordshire
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.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
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.
Nadine Dorries
Con
11:06:00
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.
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