Multiple stillbirths at troubled hospital trust
A large number of full-term stillbirths were recorded at a hospital trust in one year.
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust recorded 27 stillbirths in the 12-month period; this included 13 full-term stillbirths, triggering a national alarm. Term stillbirths are considered particularly serious because they more often have the potential to be preventable.
Kirkup report three years ago It was found that 45 babies may have survived If they had received better care at the foundation.
Dr Des Holden, acting chief executive of East Kent Hospitals, said an independent review had been launched “to identify common themes, learnings and further improvements”.
The trust noted a stillbirth rate above expected levels, including an increase in deaths at term [PA Media]
The problems were discussed at a meeting of the trust’s board on Thursday and documents show that although some improvements have been made, the maternity service remains under significant pressure and is subject to ongoing scrutiny.
The trust recorded a stillbirth rate above expected levels; this includes the increase in full-term deaths.
This triggered a national birth outcomes signaling system (Moss) alert at the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and led to further investigation.
Moss is described by the NHS as a near real-time safety signaling system that supports early detection and rapid responses to potential safety issues in intrapartum care.
An external independent review of these cases is ongoing and is expected to be reported shortly, alongside a separate review focusing on neonatal care.
‘particularly relevant’
Helen Gittos, who lost her baby Harriett in 2014, said: “I do not believe the trust has made any meaningful attempt to respond to the Kirkup report.
“His core message was that sustainable change comes not from checklists and action plans, but from addressing a few key issues, and yet that is what we see.
“The high number of full-term stillbirths is particularly concerning.”
The figures show that there were many serious incidents within a few months.
There were 10 major events in April, including major bleeding, surgical interventions, fetal loss, and unplanned hysterectomy.
The overall perinatal mortality rate also rose above national thresholds, but the neonatal mortality rate remained below expected levels, board documents showed.
Board documents identified the workforce as a “key risk”, with particular attention to midwifery staff and interaction with community teams.
The Trust continued to rely on temporary staff to maintain safe staffing levels while recruitment campaigns continued.
Holden said: “The stillbirth of a baby is devastating for any family and our thoughts are with all the families affected by the loss of their baby.
“We look at each stillbirth individually. We have seen an increase in stillbirths over the last 12 months and we are looking very closely at whether there are any common factors, including factors during pregnancy.
“To help protect the security of our services, we have commissioned an independent expert review to identify common themes, learnings and further improvements.
“We work hard in the community to increase support for women throughout their pregnancy.”
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