STAFFING levels at a Hampshire maternity unit which cared for two mums who died following childbirth have come under fire in a national review by the health watchdog.

Both 29-year-old Jasmine Pickett and 39-year-old Amy Kimmance gave birth at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in December, but died of Group A streptococcal infections days later.

A study into maternity services published today by the Healthcare Commission rated the Winchester hospital's maternity unit as poor for its levels of staffing, scoring just one out of five.

Other areas highlighted as below standard were the percentage of women offered informed choices for screening and the percentage of women who were unable to attend antenatal classes.

Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital's maternity ward was also criticised in the review.

It was scored one out of five for the availability of recommended screening, and two for the speed at which third-degree tears are repaired. Both hospitals scored two out of five for the quality of support and care for babies following discharge, as well as post-natal care of babies.

Both also received praise in other areas, including choice of antenatal care and extent of choice in labour. The Royal Hampshire County Hospital also scored four out of five for the level of staff training, while the Princess Anne was awarded five for staffing levels and integration of support workers.

Midwives appointed Janie Pearman, head of midwifery at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, said: "Since the report was published we have appointed seven new whole time equivalent midwives and a more recent patient survey audit has shown excellent results. We know that we are on course to a higher rating next time."

Maria Dore, head of midwifery for the Princess Anne, said: "We welcome this survey as one of the measures patients can use to assess our maternity services. We are very proud of the quality of maternity care we offer in Southampton and are pleased that this report has recognised the service as one of the better performing in the country, which is good news for local families.

"Since the survey took place, many improvements have been made to address the issues it highlighted. This has included undertaking an active recruitment programme and focusing on improving women's experience within the hospital and when they return home with their baby." But Unison health Hampshire branch vice secretary David Prout said more needed to be done to improve maternity services.

He said: "There is often a link between crises and low levels of staffing. That the report flags up for Royal Hampshire County Hospital is not surprising. Although both hospitals scored better in other areas, it is our opinion that full rounded care is not yet there and that maternity services need improving."

Overall, Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust were placed in the "fair performing" category.

Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust was graded "better performing" with an average of 3.222, while the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust was ranked "best performing" with a score of 3.528.

Healthcare Commission chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said: "The matters raised must not be ignored."

Review of Maternity Services 2007

Click to download a pdf of the report
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust