Updated 13 August 2024
We carried out an assessment at Salisbury District Hospital maternity service following an information of concern raised around culture, poor care, low staffing and poor performance indicators. In 2021 the service worked with the Maternity Safety Support Programme (MSSP), with an exit strategy agreed between the trust, MSSP and the Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNS). The trust worked closely with stakeholders and in July 2024 the service submitted an exit plan, having met the exit criteria, following significant improvements within the maternity service. The CQC previously inspected Salisbury District Maternity Service in March 2021 and following the inspection received a section 29A warning notice, due to the inspection identifying concerns within the maternity service and there was a need for significant improvements in the quality of maternity care. The service was re-inspected in October 2021 against the warning notice requirements, the outcome being removal of the warning notice. The maternity service consisted of one obstetric led unit consisting of the day assessment unit, Beatrice antenatal and postnatal ward, and Beatrice consultant led labour ward. A midwifery led unit was also based at the hospital site. We inspected 15 quality statements across the safe, caring and well-led key questions and have combined the scores for these areas with scores from the last inspection to give the rating. There was a good safety culture where events were investigated, and learning was embedded to promote good practice. Staff provided safe care and treatment, the environment was now safe and mostly well maintained. To ensure staffing levels met the needs of women and birthing people, leaders had introduced assigning staff to their designated maternity area at the start of each shift. Staff delivered good care and treatment, and people had good outcomes. The department and staff were well-led by strong leaders and there was improved governance and risk management.