The CEO of Milton Keynes Hospital has apologised after one new mum claimed just two midwives cared for 28 women and their babies.
The concerned listener, who gave birth to her son in January 2021, alleges that ward 9 was incredibly short-staffed on the night shift and that she had to wait over an hour for someone to help with her baby.
MKFM spoke to Professor Joe Harrison, the CEO of Milton Keynes Hospital, about the matter during Wednesday's Q&A News Special.
The hospital boss stated that night shifts are "always quieter" with regards to staff numbers, and that staff are always on call should extra support be needed - but it sounds like no calls were made on this occasion.
Professor Harrison admitted "we don't always get it right" and apologised. He continued: "It would be brilliant to have lots of staff around all of the time, even if they had nothing to do. We clearly aren't in that position and what we do encourage, whether it's midwives or anyone on our other wards, is to call for help.
"We always have senior staff available that can come in, and we always have people on call that can come in and help out should we get very busy. It sounds as though, on this occasion, that it didn't happen and I am very sorry that it didn't happen. But please do know that there are always people around that can come in and help."
He reassured listeners that the hospital wards are safe, and are regularly inspected by regulators including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure everything is up to standard.
Professor Harrison added that the hospital has "some fantastic plans" for the upcoming Women's and Children's Hospital which is set to be built on-site.
The multi-million-pound hospital, set to open in 2024, will bring together paediatric and obstetrics services all under one roof.
Professor Harrison concluded: "We continue to develop the services, and we know that the number of women giving birth in Milton Keynes is only going to go up and we are planning for it accordingly. So we have got really good plans, and we know that there are times - not just in maternity but in all of our unplanned services - where they come under pressure and we do our utmost to make sure we have the right number of staff on all of the time."
READ MORE: Brand new Women’s and Children’s Hospital is coming to Milton Keynes
