(2) whether he has assessed the effect on the performance of NHS trusts of the Healthcare Commission's recommendations on the monitoring of quality and performance of maternity services by NHS trusts following its investigation into maternal deaths at Northwick Park hospital.
The Healthcare Commission (HCC) report into the maternal deaths at Northwick Park hospital was published on the 23 August 2006. We welcomed the report and gave it careful consideration.
Our framework document, ‘Maternity Matters: Choice, access and continuity of care in a safe service’, published in April 2007, took account of the HCC report along with other evidence. It is the delivery mechanism for the Government’s maternity commitments and is the strategy for modernised maternity services, placing safety, quality and improving standards at the very heart of its vision. Copies of the framework document have been placed in the Library and can also be found on the Department's website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_073312
The use of agency personnel is a matter best determined by local trusts in light of local circumstances.
The HCC undertook a review of maternity services during 2007 covering all trusts providing maternity services, and published its findings in January 2008. The review assessed performance against a range if issues and indicators, covering clinical focus, women-centred care and efficiency and capability. The data enable trusts and commissioners to compare and benchmark their outcomes and performance against others. A national report containing detailed analysis of the review is expected to be published by the Healthcare Commission this summer.