A hospital maternity unit could be at risk as a result of staffing issues. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said that the unit at Worthing Hospital may not have enough specialist staff over the next few months to keep women and their newborns safe. This is a result of a national shortage of midwives and neonatal nurses, combined with staff sickness and other absences at the hospital.
READ MORE: Plans for 5G mast to be installed on A27 To make sure women and their babies receive the best care, the hospital trust said it is currently looking into contingency plans if staff shortages become a problem. One possibility is that expectant mothers may have to give birth at another hospital site. The trust also said it is working hard to increase staff numbers, with people currently being trained in these much-needed specialist roles on the maternity ward.
Newly qualified midwives are also expected to join the service in autumn. Dr Tim Taylor, chief of service for the women and children’s division at University Hospitals Sussex, said: "Providing the best possible maternity care is an absolute priority for our dedicated team at Worthing Hospital. “All hospitals in England are affected by a national shortage of midwives and neonatal nurses.
"At Worthing, an increase in sickness or other absence over the next few months could mean we don’t have enough specialist staff to maintain the safety of our maternity service. “We’re working hard to increase staffing numbe.
