Nottingham University Hospitals have outlined plans to improve maternity operations after a report found that staffing levels and training standards were not up to scratch.

In December, the Care Quality Commission found that “the service did not have enough maternity staff with the right qualifications, skills, training and experience to keep patients safe from avoidable harm and to provide the right care and treatment.”

Health bosses have been ‘working tirelessly’ to find solutions to the problems outlined in the report and presented their plans in a Nottingham City Council Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on January 14.

Lisa Kelly, NUH chief operating officer, said: “This has been a really challenging time for the organisation and we’ve really thought carefully about how we can improve our services.

“We’ve been actively listening to families and staff about where we’re not getting it right and that is where our improvements programme has started.

“We’ve appointed a new interim director of midwifery and which is really beginning to strengthen the leadership of our maternity services.”

The trust has also pledged to improve recruitment at all levels within the department.

Ms Smith added: “ We have also committed to investment to increase the establishments of midwives across our two units at NUH and that recruitment has started.

“We also recognise the need for a greater capacity to our medical support team and this is being addressed.

In regards to the training of staff, Ms Smith noted that improvements have been made but there is “still some way to go.”

NUH medical director Keith Girling added: “As a trust we are very sorry for the care we have delivered to women in Nottingham in our maternity unit.

“We have taken immediate action and will continue to take such actions until the services we provide meet the standards expected of us.”

Councillors in attendance were deeply concerned by the reports but acknowledged the trusts’ efforts to make the necessary improvements.

Councillor Maria Joannou said: “The CQC report shows a real failure in leadership but it is clear that a top-down approach is needed.

“We welcome the plans you have set out and look forward to see an improvement when these plans are implemented.”

Full details on the action plan being implemented by NUH can be found at: www.nuh.nhs.uk/maternity