Annie Tombs from Chard Somerset, has started a petition for a public inquiry into NHS maternity services in Somerset, Devon and Dorset.
Inspired by her own treatment, Annie has taken up the challenge to hold those accountable at the top for what she describes as “systemic flaws”.
Founder of Mums and Munchkins and creator of Mindful Mums Podcast, Annie, has expressed her concerns about the conditions and the treatment she and others received when giving birth.
“It started off when I was told I should stay at home when I was feeling contractions and then as soon as I ignored the advice and got to hospital, my waters broke. I could have had my son on the pavement if I didn’t go ahead and ignore their advice!”
“I was then told to be quiet because I was making too much noise by the matron. I was like I’ve never done this before and it hurts right, so I’m going to make as much noise as I need to make to get this baby out. I thought it was really insensitive and actually quite awful.”
“My maternity story wasn’t great, but for me to say that I’ve heard worse… I shouldn’t have to say that I’ve heard worse.”
The poor treatment didn’t stop after birth for Annie.
She said: “I was sort of being left unattended for long periods of time in an undignified state. For example this guy checked Eli (Annie’s son) on the ward once he was born to do his vital checks. It was like he came off the street!”
Annie added: “He didn’t know how to put his baby grow back on and it was just a really weird experience!”
An independent watchdog team said they found expired milk at the Musgrave Park Hospital, where Annie gave birth, as well as finding some staff not always washing their hands when entering clinic areas at other Somerset and Dorset hospitals.
As part of this investigation, the Care Quality Commission has told the Somerset NHS trust in particular, that their maternity services must improve.
Not criticising the midwifery team in particular, Annie was keen to emphasise that the petition isn’t to blame anyone: “because of the petition, which I feel that shows nurses are struggling. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s some great stories which I have heard and there are some incredible nurses and midwives that work tirelessly in their job.”
“But one, they don’t get paid enough for what they do and two, their working conditions is absolutely awful. Like it’s terrible. We’ve been screaming out that there needs to be more money and more staff.”
“If you look really closely, the reason why these women and myself are having these gaps in their maternity story where it’s not great, is because of the lack of staff.”
Recent government statements has indicated that work will commence on each of the West Country’s NHS trusts, aiming to improve staff numbers and facilities in maternity wards.
Musgrave hospital where Annie gave birth, is having works done between 2032 to 2034, a decision which Annie calls: “disgraceful”.
There are currently no plans to renovate the maternity care unit in Dorset hospitals despite them performing the worst in patient feedback surveys.
We asked all three foundations for a response to Annie’s petition as well as the watchdog findings and got a reply from Sally Bryant, director of midwifery at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
Sally said: “Over the last year we have continued to make a series of key improvements across our maternity services in Somerset and I am sure in Devon and Dorset as well. For us this is part of a joint action plan with the Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership.”
She added: “Some of these include improvements to our overall leadership, training, governance and audit processes, as well as a standardised triage system and an investment of £1 million in our staffing levels.”
“Most of our maternity unit was built in the 1940’s an continue to provide ongoing challenges with our estate, so we’re actively working on a maintenance programme that has so far included an upgraded procedure room, the installation of air cooling units and new shower facilities.”
“The feedback we’ve heard from our Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership and the families that use our services has been central to the improvements we are making, and we’re incredibly grateful to those who have shared their experience with us.”
“Our maternity colleagues continue to work incredibly hard to make improvements to our services. If you are currently pregnant or using our services and have any questions or concerns, please contact your community midwife.”
“You can also share your experience with or feedback on any part of your care by contacting our Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership: somersetMVP@evolvingcommunities.co.uk.”
In response Annie said: “While it’s clear that some efforts are being made to improve maternity services, it’s concerning that many of the challenges, particularly around the state of the facilities and staffing, have persisted for so long. From what I hear from fellow mothers, these issues are still ongoing.”
“It’s good to see some steps being taken, such as the £1 million investment in staffing and infrastructure upgrades, but I can hope these improvements can address the underlaying issues more effectively moving forward. Continued feedback from the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership will hopefully help guide these changes in the right direction.”
In 2023-2024, there were 545,149 hospital deliveries and according to data and statistics from online publication ‘GoodtoKnow’, there is over 30,000 reported negative experiences during child birth.
Results from the parliamentary enquiry into birth trauma (May 2024) concluded that maternity care is failing women quite spectacularly, with good care for pregnant women the “exception rather than the rule”, resulting in “shockingly poor” maternity services where suboptimal care is “frequently tolerated as normal”.
At the time of writing the petition has 206 signatures and as Annie says, “every signature and piece of support is crucial.”
To sign the petition click here:change.org
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