Maternity services at Musgrove Park Hospital improve but still face challenges
Upgraded rating reflects progress, but safety concerns persist
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced the upgrade of the rating for maternity services at Musgrove Park Hospital in Somerset from inadequate to requires improvement following an inspection in February.
This inspection was conducted to evaluate the progress of improvements previously mandated by the CQC, after the service was rated inadequate and enforcement action was taken against the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Musgrove Park. While several issues identified in prior reviews have been addressed, significant safety concerns remain, necessitating further corrective action from the hospital.
According to Catherine Campbell, CQC Deputy Director of Hospitals in Somerset, improvements in the quality of care and the compassion displayed by staff at Musgrove Park were evident during the inspection. Women accessing maternity services reported that staff were caring and went beyond expectations, creating a proud moment for the entire team.
Despite this positive feedback, the service is faced with challenges related to increased demand following the temporary closure of Yeovil maternity unit in May 2025. The closure led to a surge in patients at Musgrove Park, with repercussions observed in waiting times. Women in the triage unit experienced delays, sometimes waiting up to 10 hours for medical reviews, and occasionally leaving without an updated care plan due to the unavailability of doctors.
Another critical concern raised by the CQC involves safeguarding protocols. Inspectors noted that assessments for domestic violence were not routinely conducted, posing a risk to women since pregnancy is known to be a high-risk period for such incidents. Furthermore, some safety referrals were either missed or delayed, necessitating immediate corrective actions by the trust.
Environmental conditions were also scrutinised during the inspection, revealing structural issues that need addressing. Leaks were found in clinical areas, and mould was discovered on the walls and ceilings of the postnatal ward. Insufficient storage space led to cleaning equipment being kept near public toilets, which compromises safety and hygiene.
The inspection also highlighted concerns about medicine record management. Inspectors discovered gaps in women’s drug histories, impacting medical professionals' ability to make informed decisions about care. Privacy issues were noted on the postnatal ward, where women and their babies were accommodated in a large shared space, making confidential conversations challenging.
Leadership and staff responsiveness were further concerns, as some staff expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action on issues they reported to management. Additionally, a shortage of available doctors in the pregnancy assessment unit resulted in women needing doctor visits being transferred to triage, causing additional delays.
Despite these concerns, the trust has made strides in some areas, declaring full compliance with the national maternity safety scheme, which outlines key actions for enhancing maternity service safety. Moreover, they have launched three active improvement projects focused on reception assessments of women and responding to complicated births.
In a positive development, a member of the team received national recognition for outstanding training and support of junior doctors and was honoured with an award from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2026.
While Musgrove Park Hospital's maternity services have seen improvements, the CQC emphasised the need for continued vigilance and follow-up to address ongoing issues. The commission has shared its findings with the trust and plans to monitor developments closely to ensure substantial improvements are realised, with the safety of women and their babies as the utmost priority.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Response
Professor Deirdre Fowler, chief nurse and midwife for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have done a huge amount of work to improve our maternity services since the CQC inspection in November 2023. Today’s ratings and the CQC’s report for maternity services at MPH and the trust’s community midwifery services reflect the improvements we have made and the work that is needed to further improve maternity services across Somerset.”
“We thank the women and families, and the independent Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, who continue to work with us to improve our services. We also thank our dedicated colleagues who strive to provide safe, compassionate care to women, babies, children and families in Somerset.”
“This CQC inspection report highlights the pressure on maternity services at MPH during the period when maternity and neonatal services were temporarily closed at YDH. Services at YDH reopened in April, and we are responding to issues that the CQC raised.
“The inspection report also highlights the impact of the old, outdated and cramped maternity unit at Musgrove Park Hospital on mothers, babies, families and maternity colleagues and the quality of care we are able to provide from these facilities. We have made as many improvements as possible to this building, but it is not fit for use in a modern NHS and needs to be replaced urgently.
“We will continue to improve our services by acting on the findings of this inspection and the 10 Point Plan for maternity and neonatal services that followed the publication of the National Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services.”
“We are here to support anyone who is currently using our maternity services and has questions or concerns. Please reach out to your community midwife. Our trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service and the independent Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership are also there to support you.”