- NHS hospital
Royal Stoke University Hospital
Report from 4 October 2024 assessment
Ratings - Maternity
Our view of the service
Date of the on-site assessment was 27 November 2024. This assessment was a focused follow up inspection following a section 29a Warning Notice back in 2023. In addition to the on-site assessment, we also completed various teams' interviews and reviewed data provided by the trust.
We found significant improvements during this inspection and the trust have met their Section 29a Warning Notice requirements.
During our assessment we found most staff were positive about the culture of the service, concerns were not always acted on. However, processes were in place for shared learning. The environment appeared to be clean and tidy and medicines storage areas were locked and secure; there were comprehensive guidelines in place for induction of labour. Staff worked well together and completed National Perinatal Mortality Review tools when required. Regular audits took place, and the service benchmarked themselves against other hospitals. Leaders completed various leadership courses, and Freedom to Speak Up arrangements were in place.
Midwifery staffing was nearly up to funded establishment, however short staffing within maternity theatres and ward areas occurred at short notice. On the day of the assessment, we observed various department where staffing was below the recommended numbers; staff told us at times their department were left short as staff were being asked to cover other areas.
People's experience of this service
CQC carried out an annual maternity survey, this survey looked at the experiences of 18,951 women, across 120 NHS trusts, who gave birth in February 2024 (and January 2024 for smaller trusts). Questionnaires were sent out between May and August 2024; responses were received from 176 people at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. On average 8.3% people were satisfied with care during labour and birth, this was about the same as other trusts and 7.1% people were satisfied with care in hospital after the birth.