Inquiry ordered after deaths of mothers and babies at maternity unit

An NHS maternity unit was placed under special investigation yesterday amid concern about the recent deaths of mothers and babies.

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) launched an inquiry into the "quality and safety of maternity care" provided by St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey.

The commission said: "There have been a number of serious incidents in recent years and there is public concern about the quality of care at the trust's maternity unit. The trust also has significant difficulties recruiting midwives for the service."

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust said it had asked the commission to intervene in an attempt to restore public confidence in the unit and reassure expectant mothers. Andrew Morris, the trust's chief executive, said: "We want to demonstrate in the clearest possible way that maternity services at St Peter's Hospital are safe. That is why we have invited CHI to come in."

Doubts have been raised after several unforeseen deaths at the unit, an average of one a year. This year, a baby died soon after birth. Two years ago, a mother died in the unit and her baby was stillborn. A stillborn baby in 1998 and again in 1997 caused alarm, as did two babies who were seriously disabled on delivery in 1996 and 1997.

One death per 14,000 births would be expected as average, but the Surrey unit deals with fewer than 4,000 births a year.

In the heart of the stockbroker belt, the unit also has a 30 per cent vacancy rate for midwives, which has been blamed on high house prices and better rates of pay at London hospitals.

Geoff Martin, of the pressure group London Health Emergency, said the problem at Ashford and St Peter's was a "crisis waiting to happen". It dated back to the closure and merger of maternity units at Ashford Hospital in Middlesex and Queen Mary's at Roehampton, he said, which had increased pressure on St Peter's.

Mr Martin added: "It is time the authorities got their act together before more kids and mothers die."

Commission investigators will look at the trust's "systems and processes" to ensure high standards. They will also meet women who are using or have used the trust's maternity unit, as well as their relatives, carers and friends.

Local organisations and current and former staff will also be invited to talk about their experience of the service. Peter Homa, the commission's chief executive, said: "It is important to acknowledge that the trust contacted CHI for advice and is keen to work with us to ensure the care provided is of a high standard at the unit."

A spokesman for the NHS Trust said: "We believe the unit's record is entirely in line with the national average.

"However, after having called in a independent health ombudsman and, in view of a local newspaper which makes it a point to highlight these incidents, we felt it would be a good idea to see whether we could be carrying out our procedure in a better way."