'I'm scared all the time. We are under so much pressure' Worried midwives tell of worsening problems as union's new report highlights grim situation at crisis-hit unit.

Byline: Greg Tindle Health Correspondent

MIDWIVES have issued a damning verdict on their experiences of work at Wales' biggest maternity unit.

A confidential staff survey has exposed claims that mums are not receiving the best possible care and that a lack of staff has put morale "at rock bottom".

The report also found that staff who have reported problems felt they have not been taken seriously and that many have been "bullied or belittled" for raising their concerns with management.

The midwives' comments are contained in a secret report by union Unison which has been passed to the South Wales Echo.

It comes two months after we first published concerns about staffing levels and the poor experiences of mums on the consultant-led maternity wards at Cardiff'sUniversity Hospital of Wales.

The unit, which is undergoing refurbishment, delivers up to 3,000 babies each year and has recently reported an increase in its workload.

Midwives have claimed they have been unable to give the correct level of care to mums.

And dozens of mums have contacted the Echo - criticising the wards' conditions, saying staff were too busy to look after them, plus highlighting problems of hygiene and a lack of personal care when they were in labour.

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, says in a joint statement today it says it has recruited 11 midwives.

But one midwife told the Echo last night that nothing has changed and staffing problems are still at a "dangerous level".

The survey by Unison polled midwives at their home addresses. In someresponses staff say they have felt frightened and intimidated when raising complaints over the lack of staff.

Midwives told the survey:

"Often the staff-to-patient ratio is 1 to 16. This impossible situation creates feeling of great stress because we are failing women in our care."

"If you complain you are made to feel like a troublemaker. I have not felt I can put forward concerns as I've seen how other colleagues have been treated."

"I'm scared all the time. There is always a shortage of staff which in turn puts pressure of the staff on duty;"

"Even senior staff are afraid to raise concerns;"

"There is a lack of staff to help mothers breastfeeding. Sometimes only one nursery nurse to care for 16 babies, which is impossible and very unsafe."

It follows the crisis which emerged at the flagship hospital in September.

When mums claimed they had experienced traumatic births at UHW - some even vowing never to have any more children because of their experience - managers initially denied the reports, then apologised.

A letter signed by 80 maternity unit staff raising concerns about staff levels and mums' safety had also been sent to managers.

Managers blamed the issues on South Wales' rising birth rate.

Wales' chief nursing officer said it was "disappointing" that some new mums had had bad experiences at the unit.

The Unison survey we detail today is set to keep the controversy alive.

It is also understood attempts have been made to keep the survey's findings from not only the union's members but from the public too.

There are 100 staff members on the consultant-led maternity unit at UHW, about half of which are Unison members.

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PLAN OF ACTION FOR MIDWIVES

A statement from Sue Gregory, nurse director at Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Mike Jones, branch secretary of UNISON and Lorna Tinsley, National Officer, Royal College of Midwives, said: "We take our midwives concerns very seriously and we have collectively agreed an action plan to respond to the extra pressure caused by increased birth rates. This has been jointly developed by midwifery managers, human resources, representatives from Unison and the Royal College of Midwives, and representatives from the staff. Progress is regularly communicated to our midwifery staff.

"We have already recruited nine new midwives to the department, plus two experienced midwives. In addition to this, the trust is funding an extra three midwives and five maternity care assistants, over the current staffing levels. The trust has also submitted a business case to the local health boards to increase the numbers of staff further, and discussions have already started.

"All of our newly qualified midwives have completed an induction programme within the department and continue to receive ongoing support from senior midwives. Following their induction, these midwives are fully capable of providing safe and compassionate care, and are able to work without direct supervision.

"Providing the best quality maternity services is top of our agenda and the trust is investing pounds 16.5m in upgrading the wards and midwifery led unit at the University Hospital of Wales. The trust is keen to reassure mums-to-be that the welfare of themselves and their babies is of paramount importance and safe levels of care are being maintained."

CAPTION(S):

PRESSURE: Midwives are stressed and scared PICTURE: Rob Browne