A health trust in Teesside has received a report urging improvements to its maternity services after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report, published today, revealed that the maternity unit at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton is frequently closed because staff are redeployed to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough due to low staffing levels. The CQC also noted issues with governance systems, risk management, and effective monitoring of the service. However, the report highlighted that staff demonstrated good safety management and care practices. James Cook University Hospital was also flagged for concerns including the absence of a birthing pool on the delivery suite. South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has responded by implementing a comprehensive action plan to address recruitment issues and improve the building and environment at both hospitals. The trust intends to install a new birthing pool following the inspection. Overall, both hospitals and the trust retain a good rating, but improvements are needed in certain areas.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has identified shortcomings in the maternity services provided by South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with particular concerns at both James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital. Issues highlighted include the closure of Friarage’s maternity unit due to low staff levels resulting in redeployment to James Cook, as well as governance and risk management problems. Despite these findings, the report commended staff on their safety management and care practices. South Tees is taking measures to address these concerns through a comprehensive action plan. The CQC also raised concerns about the absence of a birthing pool at James Cook, as well as issues with staffing levels and the hospital’s environment. The trust plans to install a new birthing pool as part of their response to the report. While both hospitals and the trust maintain an overall good rating, improvements are necessary to enhance their maternity services.
