by Bethany Rielly

A MATERNITY service has been told by inspectors to make improvements due to staff shortages and failures to listen to the concerns of midwives. 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Worcestershire Royal Hospital in December following concerns raised by several whistle-blowers. 

Inspectors said that staffing levels were often lower than planned, morale was low and staff did not think that their concerns were listened to.

As a result the maternity services rating has dropped from “good” to “requires improvement.” 

The hospital’s overall rating of “requires improvement” remains unchanged. 

Whistleblowers from the department had told the CQC in July that the service was always short-staffed and they were often made to move around the department. 

Staff also felt unsupported by managers when they raised concerns, they reported. 

CQC chief inspector of hospitals Ted Baker said today that the hospital was facing a particularly challenging time.

“However, it is crucial that women get the safe and personalised birth experience to which they are entitled and that midwifery staff feel supported and valued in order to achieve this,” he said. 

Mr Baker said that staff should “never feel that their concerns are not listened to” but said he was pleased that service managers have initiated meetings with staff to make improvements. 

The hospital said it is recruiting new midwives to fill vacancies from next week and is hiring an additional 10 midwives, as well as two matrons. 

Chief nursing officer Vicky Morris said: “The safety of mums-to-be and their babies is our priority.

“We will continue to engage with our staff through regular briefings — offering them the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and learn about our future improvement plans.”