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A probe into the island’s maternity services has been launched following concerns about the state of the ward and its infection control standards, among other issues.
The investigation from a panel of politicians will be consulting stakeholders and members of the service to better understand ongoing concerns about the service dating back to 2015.
The review by the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel will focus on a planned upgrade to the ward, the availability of antenatal and perinatal mental health care (including pregnancy loss), safety of care during pregnancy, women’s abilities to make choices about maternity care, and the impact of covid on services.
Pictured: The review will focus partly on the availability of antenatal and perinatal mental health care.
In launching their review - which the public can give their comments to by e-mailing scrutiny@gov.je, contacting them directly or messaging the Government’s social media pages - the panel noted that the previous Health Minister and Hospital Director had acknowledged concerns regarding the condition of the maternity unit in the General Hospital as far back as 2015.
It was only five years later, in September 2020, that a planning application was finally lodged to overhaul and extend the hospital's maternity unit, with a design statement acknowledging that “the existing unit does not meet infection control standards.” They were approved the following month.
Other issues noted in the planning application included:
Though Express has asked the Government on several occasions exactly what aspects of the ward breach infection control standards, no clarification has ever been provided.
In October, a Health and Community spokesperson simply said: “Plans have been submitted to provide an expanded, modern and spacious Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and to refurbish the Maternity ward at the Jersey General Hospital.
“This includes building an extension to expand the current SCBU footprint and upgrading delivery suites.
“Plans for this were postponed due to covid-19, but it is hoped that work will get underway early next year. The aim of the refurbishment is to modernise the ward and improve the physical environment for patients and staff."
Pictured: The new review panel want to hear experiences from the public to help shape their assessment.
The spokesperson added: “This upgrade to facilities is needed to ensure that the existing Maternity ward meets various building regulations and Infection, Protection and Control (IPC) standards.
“Existing IPC standards are in place and regularly assessed and reviewed as patient safety is our highest priority.
“We look forward to seeing these works completed quickly and efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to patients and their families.”
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Chair of the Health and Social Scrutiny Panel, said of the upcoming review: “Maternity services are extremely important to islanders and we want to ensure that everyone receives the best possible care at one of the most important and memorable times of their lives.
“Similar reviews of maternity services and quality of care in the UK have led to nationwide recommendations which aim to ensure that care is delivered safely and appropriately and that staff receive the support they need.
“We want to hear from islanders and health care professionals about their experiences so we can work together to make any necessary improvements to our maternity provision."
Pictured: Plans to refurbish the hospital's maternity ward and create an extended Special Care Baby Unit were approved in October last year.
Jo Nash, founder of Philip’s Footprints, a charity supporting parents who have lost a baby, which has raised £56,000 for antenatal equipment, commented: “Philip's Footprints welcomes this wide-ranging review into our Maternity services.
“Whilst our Maternity staff already give a fantastic service, and have excelled during this current Covid-19 situation, at times this service can only be as good as the existing infrastructure allows.
“The Panel are in a unique position to discover the challenges faced by the Maternity Unit and we look forward to sharing our insights with them.
“The charity hopes that following this review the States will be in an informed position to drive change, to ensure that Jersey is able to do it's very best for expectant and new mums, partners and babies at this life-changing time and beyond.”
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