Shrewsbury and Telford care review: questions over deaths of 36 mothers and babies

Trust in special measures over concern about poor emergency and maternity care

A trust at the centre of a review of alleged cases of failings in maternity care said it has been in contact with the families of 36 mothers and babies who died.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said a further 22 cases of permanent harm have also been raised. NHS Improvement last week placed the Shropshire trust in special measures on the recommendation of the Care Quality Commission, which last month imposed 'urgent conditions' on the trust.

Although earlier reports said the trust was in contact with as many as 215 families, this figure has been revised.

Unannounced inspections

The CQC's action followed unannounced inspections of some services at the Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in August and September.

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The improvement regime means the organisation will receive additional support from central NHS bodies to improve performance.

NHS Improvement executive medical director and chief operating officer Kathy McLean said: 'We are grateful for the families who have come forward so far to share or query whether their experience should form part of our independent investigation. We want to assure people every possible case has and will be taken into account as part of the investigation, to help ensure lessons are learnt.'

In October, the CQC said it was taking action at the trust following inspections of its maternity and emergency departments.

Concern over maternity guidelines

The CQC previously said unannounced inspections of some services at the Princess Royal and Royal Shrewsbury had led to concern about reduced foetal movements guidelines for the trust's maternity services.

Inspectors also raised concerns about urgent and emergency care, particularly in relation to sepsis.

Conditions placed on the trust include weekly reporting on the action it is taking in maternity and urgent and emergency care services.

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

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