Musgrove Park Hospital maternity unit needs urgent improvement

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has maternity buildings described as old and crumbling, with water leaks and mould reported by regulators.

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has maternity buildings that have remained substantially unchanged since the 1980s, when they were already described as old and crumbling. A Care Quality Commission report recently found water leaking into clinical areas and mould on walls and ceilings. Baroness Valerie Amoss, who chaired a national government review into maternity services, described Musgrove as the 'most challenging' hospital estate.

Staff at the hospital are praised for their skill and dedication despite working in conditions that have persisted for four decades. The League of Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital has donated equipment to improve clinical care, including a surgical robot costing £1.5 million and a second spinal surgery robot costing over £800,000, but cannot invest in building improvements.

Following a House of Commons exchange between local MP Gideon Amos and the Prime Minister, health secretary Andy Burnham said he would 'look into' the situation.

How it is being reported

• COLUMN: 'We can't wait for maternity improvementsAll of our four children were born at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, the first two more than 40 years ago.Somerset County Gazette · 10 Oct, 05:00
• COLUMN: 'We can't wait for maternity improvementsAll of our four children were born at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, the first two more than 40 years ago.Bridgwater Mercury · 10 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Musgrove Park Hospital · Taunton · Baroness Valerie Amoss · Gideon Amos · Andy Burnham

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