Hospital midwives at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford were found to be working consecutive shifts without adequate rest, leading them to be awake for more than 24 hours, according to a recent investigation by the NHS inspector. The report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted the dangerous practice of redeploying community staff to cover overnight hospital shifts during busy periods, resulting in extended periods without breaks. This lack of rest was reported to impact both the well-being of the staff and patient safety, as fatigue can increase the risk of errors that may harm patients.
The CQC report also noted that pregnant women were not being triaged on time and delays in the induction of labor were not always properly reported as incidents at the hospital. This revelation comes in the wake of ongoing maternity scandals at understaffed trusts across the country. A national investigation into NHS maternity care is expected to address staffing issues and deliver its findings soon.
Despite improvements in some areas, the CQC rated the overall maternity unit, including operations at Horton General Hospital, as “good,” an upgrade from its previous rating of “requires improvement.” However, the safety of maternity services specifically at John Radcliffe Hospital was rated as “requires improvement.”
Acknowledging the concerns raised in the report, the trust has pledged to discontinue the grueling shift patterns for midwives and ensure that compensatory rest periods are provided if a shift extends past midnight. Simon Crowther, the interim CEO of the trust, expressed a commitment to addressing the issues urgently and working collaboratively with stakeholders to enhance the quality and safety of care provided to service users, families, and communities.