'Serious failures' at maternity unit

A team of specialists is being drafted into a London maternity unit following the deaths of 10 women, health watchdogs said today.

Urgent action has been taken at the unit at Northwick Park Hospital in north-west London, after a special investigation found "serious system failures".

In the last three years 10 women have died at the unit where there are around 5,000 births a year. This is almost six times the UK average of one death in every 8,700 births.

An investigation has been launched into the deaths, a wide range of "special measures" are being brought in and a patient helpline has been set up.

This is first time such drastic action has been taken at a maternity unit - and only the second time the Healthcare Commission has enforced such measures. A team of top obstetricians and midwives are being drafted in and women who have opted for Caesarean births will be diverted elsewhere.

Health Secretary John Reid has told the Trust to urgently implement the commission's recommendations. The Trust was warned in December it was not up to scratch and said it was taking action but a spot check by the commission found nothing had been done.

Commission chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said: "We must take immediate action to protect the safety of patients. As well as the recommended clinical team, the Trust has a new acting chief executive and a new medical director. They, and the staff on the unit, will get our full backing as they work to get services up to standard. The Government's prompt response means that women now should have confidence in these services."