Queen’s Hospital trust ‘working hard’ to address staff shortages before maternity transfer from King George

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Wednesday, January 16, 2013
9:00 AM

The trust behind Queen’s Hospital said it is “working hard” to address staff shortages ahead of the transfer of maternity services from King George Hospital.

Labour listed the Romford hospital as one of 17 found to have insufficient staffing levels to “keep people safe and meet their health and welfare needs” by the Care Quality Commission.

The watchdog outlined improvements for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) to make after its last inspection of staffing in March 2012.

BHRUT chairman Sir Peter Dixon said: “We have been working hard to address the issue and have had great success in filling vacancies in many departments.

“We have seen particular improvements in our maternity department, where our midwife to birth ratio is 1:29 – among the best in London. O

“Our labour ward also has the highest levels of consultant cover in the capital.

“However, like many other hospitals, we are struggling to recruit to certain areas – particularly around emergency care.

“Patient safety remains an absolute priority, and we continue to work hard to address the situation.”

Deliveries are scheduled to move from King George Hospital, in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, to the Romford Hospital later this year.