Hospital midwives at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford were reportedly required to work consecutive shifts without adequate rest, exceeding 24 hours of wakefulness, according to a recent investigation by the NHS inspector. The issue of extended shifts was highlighted in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, which also pointed out delays in triaging pregnant women and underreporting of labor induction delays as incidents.
The CQC report revealed that during busy periods, community staff were reassigned to cover hospital shifts overnight, leading to prolonged periods without breaks. Staff reported being awake for over 24 hours, expressing concerns about the impact on their well-being and patient safety due to fatigue-related errors that could result in harm.
In response to the findings, a national inquiry on NHS maternity care, chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos, is set to release its conclusions, focusing on the persistent issues highlighted in the CQC report. While the overall maternity unit, including Horton General Hospital under the Oxford trust, received a “good” rating, the safety of maternity services at John Radcliffe was deemed to “require improvement” by the CQC.
Amanda Williams, Deputy Director of the CQC, acknowledged some improvements in services at both hospitals but noted challenges in maintaining consistent safety standards under pressure, particularly at John Radcliffe. The trust committed to discontinuing exhaustive shift patterns and ensuring compensatory rest periods for midwives working past midnight.
Simon Crowther, the interim CEO of the trust, emphasized a proactive approach to address the CQC’s concerns promptly, aiming to enhance service quality and safety for patients. The trust pledged to collaborate closely with stakeholders to implement necessary changes and deliver high-quality care aligned with the community’s expectations.
