Maternity unit death probe

Three women have died at a maternity unit where 10 new mothers lost their lives.

Northwick Park Hospital has ordered an inquiry after the women died within 10 months of one another.

In the latest case an Afghan teacher from Wembley, Zahra Ghaznavi, 28, suffered a serious tear during labour and died on 20 March. Family friend Wahid Hamraz said: "She should not have died, not with all the medical resources they have got." The trust was investigated by health watchdogs two years ago after its maternal death rate soared to six times the average.

Maternity standards were criticised but the hospital was lifted out of special measures after hiring extra staff and pumping in £19 million extra cash. Chief executive Fiona Wise has announced a new review of services but insisted there was no evidence care had been compromised.