Yesterday the Care Quality Commission published the Chief Inspector of Hospitals’ report on the inspection at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Sir Mike Richards concluded that services were safe, but raised questions about staffing levels. He noted that the maternity service is going through a period of transition.

Responding to the CQC report, NHS England said: “The NHS Five Year Forward View, to be published shortly, includes a commitment by NHS England to commission a review of sustainable options for maternity units in England. It will draw on international examples of more varied and networked patterns of maternity provision which do not necessarily require service centralisation to support safe and effective care, and greater choice for women. The review will report next year.”