James Paget maternity services - Mum describes CQC shock

Natasha Garforth's daughter Catarina died during an emergency caesarean at the hospital five years ago - with a safety investigation identifying that a number of opportunities to save her were missed.

Following the tragic events, the hospital admitted fault for her death and vowed to make changes.

But this week its maternity department was rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission amid concerns bosses had allowed it to become under-staffed and did not provide workers with adequate training to keep mothers and babies safe.

Ms Garforth, who now has a three-year-old daughter called Athena, said reading the report was reliving the most traumatic experience of her life over again.

She said: "It feels like the same mistakes are being made over and over again and that is really concerning.

"The most important thing they have to address is the training staff are given - it is all well bringing in more people but they have to be properly trained."

Following Catarina's death, Ms Garforth, from Oulton near Lowestoft, has gone on to become a trustee of baby loss awareness charity Angels and Rainbows - meaning she often hears similar experiences of other mums.

She said: "I'm not sure people always fully understand the severity of things. I've heard about a lot of close calls but these aren't always reported and sometimes it feels that they are swept under the carpet.

"There are not enough lessons learned which means, sadly, it didn't shock me much to read the report."

Mrs Garforth, 42, was a week overdue when she went into hospital to give birth to Catarina in October 2018.

She was induced but soon began to feel intense pain - which was initially dismissed as being in labour.

But it later emerged she was suffering from hyperstimulation - signs of which were missed - at Catarina did not make it through the emergency C-section.

She added: "What happened to us was nearly five years ago - but it just seems nothing has really changed.

"It felt like nobody really knew who was responsible for what and several signs that could have been picked up, weren't."

A spokesman for James Paget said: "The trust referred this case for investigation and review by the independent Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, to identify any recommendations to improve patient safety and learning.

"Any baby loss is a tragedy and our sympathies remain with the family."

Following the publication of the report, bosses at the hospital apologised for its findings and say they are reacting swiftly to address its concerns.

It came following a warning notice being served on the hospital by CQC inspectors, who visited the department in January.

Jo Segasby, chief executive at the Paget, said: "Our hospital accepts the CQC report and the clear actions that need to be taken to improve maternity services.

"Since receiving the warning notice in February this year, we have worked quickly to make the immediate improvements required.

"This includes investing in and recruiting additional medical and midwifery staff to support the care received by those giving birth, and their families, as well as staff to improve effective safety reporting and monitoring arrangements."

Ms Garforth, who received an out of court settlement from the hospital over her daughter's death, urged more people to speak out about their experiences.

She said: "I don't want anybody else to go through what my family did, so I want to make sure my voice is heard."