Click the headline or link below to read the rest of this story.
Maggie Throup spoke after Heartlands Hospital was slammed by clinical leaders because of its over-stretched intensive care unit for babies and care for sick children.
Solihull mums are going to the hospital and others after the town’s maternity unit was shut.
Maternity-led births only will return in the summer a consultation will be held on its long-term future starts in the autumn.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health slammed delays in assessing children and a lack of cots for sick babies.
The high dependency unit was at 177 per cent capacity, almost twice as many babies were being treated than should be, it found.
The college demanded more cots and beds as the service was ‘not fit for purpose’.
Ms Throup said: “Maternity at Solihull seems to have been the sacrificial lamb in this whole sorry situation. It now seems that the services Solihull Mums will now have to use are well below par.”
“I have grave concerns for mum and baby safety across the trust. The changes have been rushed through in a political move to beat a change in government and without the promised consultation.”
Ms Throup, who unsuccessful stood as a Conservative candidate for the Solihull Parliamentary seat and fronted a campaign against the downgrading, said the report raised worrying questions.
She said in a press release: “We now learn that the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has produced a damming report saying the paediatric assessment units are not fit for purpose and some of the existing facilities are working at 177 per cent capacity.
“This was before 2,800 extra births from Solihull were directed to the other hospitals just a few weeks ago.”
The hospital was reviewed alongside Good Hope Hospital. Both are run along with Solihull by Heart of England NHS Trust.
It was sparked by the death of Sian Jones, 15, who died of peritonitis after Heartlands staff did not diagnose it. Further child deaths and incidents sparked concern.
The trust said it had already made ‘far-reaching changes’ and is ‘determined to learn from the review, and to deliver enhancements to the services that it provides to children and young people’.
Chief executive Dr Mark Goldman – who previously announced he is stepping down – said:
“We are extremely sorry that elements of our paediatric service did not meet the highest of standards.”
What do you think? Leave your comments below. No registration required.
Click here to get stories by email.
