Worthing Maternity Services Downgraded By CQC
Maternity services at Worthing Hospital have been downgraded from good to requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission.
An inspection in April found concerns around safe care and treatment, medicines management and leadership.
Inspectors reviewed 11 care records and found incomplete observations and delays in escalating concerns for three women.
They also found the hospital had just one dedicated obstetric theatre for planned and emergency caesarean sections, which the CQC said increased the risk of delays during emergencies.
The CQC also raised concerns about outdated guidance for dealing with high rates of postpartum haemorrhage.
However, inspectors found improvements in outcomes for babies, with neonatal mortality rates below the national average.
The trust said it recognised there was "more to do" and remained committed to listening to women and families.
It said further action had been taken since the inspection, including strengthening staffing and recruiting specialist roles.
The maternity department is also subject to an independent review led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
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