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In safe hands at maternity unit

30/ 1/2008

Tameside Hospital is one of the safest places in the country to have a baby, according to a review.

And the government’s health watchdog has rated it as ‘better performing’, the second highest category possible.

NHS legal chiefs placed the hospital at level 3, the top rating possible, which shows it manages risk well in terms of policies, communication, clinical care and staffing levels.

Only 19 of the 150 trusts in England achieved this rating.

In a separate assessment, the Healthcare Commission undertook the most comprehensive study ever into NHS maternity services.

It took into account factors including staffing levels, numbers of midwives and consultants, mothers’ views on the state of delivery suites and standards of care, and the welfare of mothers and babies.

Hospitals with maternity services were ranked in order of best performing, better performing, fair performing and least well performing.

Clinical director and consultant obstetrician Tariq Mahmood said: "We’re delighted that these assessments of our maternity service over the last few months have revealed that Tameside General Hospital offers a high standard of obstetric care.

"This care has been shown to be women-centred, safe and with excellent outcomes for mothers and babies. The results of these two studies support the findings of an earlier national women’s survey undertaken by The Healthcare Commission."

The Healthcare Commission decided to investigate standards of care for mothers and babies across the country because they received so many complaints about maternity care and safety.

Only three hospitals in the region were rated ‘best’ – Wigan’s Albert Edward Infirmary, Stockport’s Stepping Hill and Hope Hospital in Salford, which is set to close.

The other eight were rated only ‘fair’.