Bedford Hospital

The inspection visit took place on November 5, 2020. This was an announced, focused inspection of maternity services following the receipt of 14 whistle-blower enquiries between August and November 2020 together with information received from the Trust. As a result of this inspection, safe and well-led were downgraded to inadequate and effective to requires improvement. 

A letter of intent was issued in respect to maternity and midwifery services because CQC believed a person would or may be exposed to the risk of harm if it had not done so. It also issued a notice of decision to put conditions on the Trust’s registration over significant concerns relating to staffing and issued a 29A warning notice to the Trust as significant improvement was required in several areas. Two months notice was given to rectify and the Trust took some immediate action, including developing an action plan to address the concerns raised.