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Healthcare regulator monitors NHS trust’s services following inspection concerns

‘Urgent conditions’ imposed on Shrewsbury and Telford’s maternity and emergency departments
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

‘Urgent conditions’ imposed on Shrewsbury and Telford’s maternity and emergency departments


Picture: Alamy

A hospital trust has been asked to provide weekly reports to the healthcare regulator amid concerns about its maternity and emergency departments.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it is imposing ‘urgent conditions’ on Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to safeguard patients.

The regulator’s action follows its unannounced inspections of some services at The Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in August and September.

Immediate response

The trust said it has taken immediate action to address all areas for improvement that were highlighted by the CQC.

These include concerns about the trust’s maternity services – particularly its guidelines on how to care for pregnant women who are experiencing reduced foetal movements.

CQC inspectors also raised concerns about urgent and emergency care at the trust, particularly regarding the recognition and treatment of sepsis.

The regulator has placed urgent conditions on the trust, including weekly reporting on the action it is taking ‘to ensure the system in place for clinical management of patients using midwifery services at The Princess Royal and Royal Shrewsbury hospitals is effective’.

A similar requirement has also been placed on its urgent and emergency care services.

Change in procedure

The trust’s nursing, midwifery and quality director Deirdre Fowler said the maternity unit met national guidelines and conducts twice-daily, consultant-led ward rounds, of which it had provided evidence to the CQC.

‘Midwives in Shropshire’s midwifery-led units have in the past used cardiotocography (CTG) to monitor foetal movements. Where there has been any cause for concern, they have referred a mother to an obstetrician in the maternity unit at The Princess Royal Hospital.’

Ms Fowler said the trust had now changed its approach to CTG foetal monitoring; all women are now monitored in the Princess Royal obstetric unit.

‘It is very important that mothers who are concerned about their baby’s movements contact the trust or their midwife to be reviewed,’ she added.

Close monitoring

CQC chief inspector of hospitals Ted Baker said: ‘We are monitoring the trust extremely closely and continue to work with NHS Improvement to ensure patient safety improves.

‘We will return to check on whether sufficient improvements have been made, and will take further action if needed.’

The CQC said the full findings of its inspection will be published shortly.


Further information 

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s response to the CQC’s concerns


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