Private hospital's Caesarean rate is twice the national average

The rate of Caesarean births at the private-sector Portland Hospital in London is double the national average, a report says. The study found the clinic wanting in six out of eight standards for maternity services.

Inspectors from the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) called for an audit of Caesarean births at the 88-bed hospital after discovering they accounted for 43 per cent of deliveries in a draft report.

The hospital is a favourite among celebrities, with Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Hurley and Claudia Schiffer among those who have given birth there.

The commission raises concerns over the lack of clear policies for referring women in labour from a midwife to a consultant in emergencies, and dealing with the conditions that most commonly lead to clinical negligence claims.

Inspectors also said that the hospital had longer than recommended time limits for on-call midwives to reach the unit when a woman arrived to have her baby.

The findings, which are contested by the Portland, follow a routine inspection by the NCSC, which was established a year ago to monitor standards at private-sector hospitals and care homes, and cosmetic surgery clinics.

Procedures at the Portland's maternity unit were previously brought into question by the highly publicised deaths of two women during labour.

An inquest last December recorded an open verdict on Tracey Sampson, who developed breathing difficulties triggered by a needle phobia. An inquest jury found that Laura Touche died in 1999 because of neglect after giving birth to twins.

Judy van den Broek, the Portland's chief executive, said: "There remain a number of points on which we disagree with the inspector's findings – this is inevitable with new standards. We have one of the highest levels of specialist nursing and consultant care to the women and children who are our patients."

Ms van den Broek said there was a consultant anaesthetist and a senior registrar or research fellow in obstetrics and paediatrics at the hospital at all times.

"We have a resident consultant anesthetist at the hospital at all times as well as a senior registrar or research fellow in obstetrics and in paediatrics, all on site 24 hours a day to meet patients' care needs," she said.

"We undertake ongoing audits of all clinical practice and they include the various maternity choices for deliveries."

She said the hospital was investigating its practices regarding Caesareans. "We have been undertaking an audit focused on that aspect of our patient care including determining the reasons for performing Caesarean sections."

The Portland attracts busy working women who tend to favour the convenience of elective Caesareans.

An NCSC spokeswoman said its inspectors had identified requirements the management needed to address. "We will be working closely with them to ensure the protection of patients," she said.