Regional health bosses have insisted they are determined to improve maternity services at two hospitals after a damning report. 

Maternity services at University Hospital North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital were rated inadequate following an inspection in March. 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) warned that some of the failures at both hospitals could have put women and babies “at risk”. Midwives warned of the unsafe conditions but nothing was done by managers, the report said. 

Inspectors found staffing issues on both maternity wards had caused delays to women’s inductions, including those for babies considered high risk.  

Read more: Darlington and Durham hospital maternity wards 'inadequate'

Midwives were found to be working late, missing breaks and taking sick leave due to the stress caused by the extra demands of the job. 

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust said it takes the concerns very seriously and assured families it is committed to providing the best care and experience. 

On Monday, the trust’s bosses told councillors at Durham’s County Hall that improvements are being made - but some challenges remain. 

The Northern Echo: The maternity ward at University Hospital North Durham was also rated inadequate The maternity ward at University Hospital North Durham was also rated inadequate (Image: The Northern Echo)

Lee Mack, associate director of operations, said the rating was a “sucker punch” and staff felt embarrassed. “There were some positives but it is a difficult, challenging and disappointing read,” he added. 

Mr Mack told the meeting: “Currently, there is a significant concern within our organisation in terms of the provision of maternity services.” The hospitals’ trust has suffered low midwife staffing numbers for around three years but up to 30 more have been recruited since the report. 

The CQC inspection also revealed that managers did not always "review incidents in a timely way" and staff said they didn’t feel “supported and valued” by their bosses. 

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A new director of quality has been employed by the trust to track the performance of the departments. 

For Sue Jacques, chief executive at the trust, the rating was a shock. She added: “I was expecting a reduction in our ratings, but not to the levels we saw. The staff are an amazing group of people and they deserve a better rating for all the work they do with patients and in the community.”

Both maternity wards will be reinspected by the end of the year.