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 Reporter Tazeen Ahmad with her new-born baby at the Whittington |
TV probe sparks claims of poor maternity treatment at hospital
AN UNDERCOVER Channel 4 report has sparked a surge of criticism over the shortage of midwives and insufficient post-natal treatment at the Whittington Hospital.
In the Dispatches TV programme, aired on Monday, reporter Tazeen Ahmad checks into the hospital in Magdala Avenue, Archway, to give birth to her second child.
She smuggles in a hidden camera to document the birth after what she describes as the “traumatic” birth of her first child at the same hospital.
During her stay, a nurse admitted the shortage of midwives was a problem, and staff were unable to give helpful medical information, and just two midwives look after 18 post-natal mothers.
In an email to the Tribune yesterday, a woman who said she was a former midwife administrator at the Whittington, claims that maternity staff had a “command and control” attitude towards their patients, mothers were under pressure to vacate beds as soon as possible after giving birth, and that the maternity ward was not cleaned adequately, leading to a cockroach infestation.
The whistle-blower, who says she left two years ago, but wishes to remain anonymous as she continues to work within the NHS, said: “What people saw on the programme was quite typical. It’s not surprising. I’m just upset that’s nothing’s changed.
“I’ve worked in three different hospitals and, though they all have their faults, the lack of customer care at the Whittington in particular is quite devastating.”
A Whittington spokeswoman said a six per cent growth in maternity services last year had increased the demand for midwives, leading them to “review their maternity workforce” and take on 10 more midwives.
She said revealed that 14 more midwives would be hired in October 2007.
The spokeswoman said: “Midwives are not pressured to keep beds free and we have invested heavily in extra staff, and plan to expand even further.” |
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