'Pot luck' maternity ward 'as impersonal as a McDonald's drive-through'

IT is a matter of "pot luck" whether expectant mothers get good or bad care on a "chaotic" maternity ward in Nottingham, staff have told a major review into the services.

- By JOEL MOORE

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, is currently subject to the largest maternity review in NHS history.

Around 2,500 families are now part of the independent inquiry, which is being chaired by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.

Families and medics have come forward with concerns about the A23 ward at the Queen's Medical Centre, which provides care for women experiencing gynaecological emergencies or complications in early pregnancy.

This includes suspected miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and vaginal bleeding or pain. Staff and families described unsafe practices, care of women being "largely dependent on chance", and infrastructure that is "not fit for purpose".

"There is a general sense of dysfunction within the unit, with operations described by staff as 'a mess' and a lack of streamlined processes," Ms Ockenden said in a letter addressed to NUH chief executive Anthony May. "Staff and multiple patients are concerned that on many occasions A23 is failing to provide a reasonable standard of care.

"Information from staff and patients indicates that the experiences of women and families are largely dependent on chance, described by staff as 'pot luck." She said delays in getting women scanned, which sometimes take days, is said to be affecting service delivery and patients' experiences and is damaging the unit's reputation.

Responding to the concerns, Mr May apologised and said work was under way to address the issues.