Maternity care at three Manchester hospitals has been slammed as ‘inadequate’ as inspectors warned bosses to make urgent improvements 'to protect people and babies from coming to harm.' Regulators found the standard of care had ‘deteriorated’ in a damning inspection.
On a visit in March they were especially concerned that initial assessments - known as triaging - took too long meaning ‘opportunities to prevent or minimise harm were missed’.
Delays and cancellations to planned Caesareans or surgical births, and inductions of labour - which kickstart childbirth - increased the risk of mothers and babies coming to harm, said the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inspections of the maternity units at Saint Mary's Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General found there were not enough midwives and doctors, and not the right mix of senior and junior staff to cope with demand.
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