Information following the publication of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation report
The Trust‑level maternity and neonatal report relating to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn has now been published as part of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, led by Baroness Amos.
This national investigation examined maternity and neonatal services across 12 NHS trusts in England. Each trust involved has a local report, which together contribute to a wider national picture to support improvement across maternity services in the NHS.
Read the full report on the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation website
The report brings together the experiences of families and staff. Some families described very difficult experiences, including times when they did not feel listened to, when communication could have been clearer, and when support following complex or traumatic experiences did not feel as strong as it should have been.
We are sorry for the distress described by families. These experiences matter, and we recognise the emotional impact they can have on women, babies and families.
At the same time, the report also recognises the commitment, professionalism and compassion of our staff, and the safe care that is provided every day, often in challenging circumstances.
The findings reflect themes seen across maternity services nationally, including the importance of listening to women and families, taking concerns seriously, and acting on them consistently. It is also clear that improvements are not always immediately reflected in how care is experienced by families, and we are focused on ensuring that changes lead to consistent, everyday improvements.
What we are doing
We have made a number of improvements in recent years, including strengthening triage, investing in staffing, enhancing governance arrangements and improving facilities.
However, this report, alongside the Ockenden review, shows there is more for us to do, and we will continue to focus on learning and improving, particularly in how we:
- listen to concerns
- communicate clearly
- escalate issues promptly
- support families following complex or traumatic experiences
For women and families using our services now
Our teams are here to provide safe, compassionate care. If you have any concerns, please speak to our staff – you will be listened to and your concerns will be taken seriously.
This report is not a regulatory judgement. Maternity and neonatal services at The QEH remain rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.
We remain committed to being open, to learning from families’ experiences, and to continuing to improve care for women, babies and families.