Notorious maternity unit praised

Premalatha Jeevagan died after giving birth to her first child

A west London maternity unit where 10 women died has been taken off special measures after being praised for its improvements.

Northwick Park Hospital was placed on special measures following the deaths of 10 women between April 2002 and April 2005.

A subsequent Healthcare Commission report cited poor management and lack of communication between staff.

Inspectors now say the hospital has made good progress since the report.

The number of deaths was much higher than the national average.

Since then, the Commission said that the North West London Hospital Trust had recruited three extra consultants and 20 more midwives to the unit.

In addition, consultant obstetricians conducted rounds on the labour ward three times a day.

Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said: "Maternity services have improved significantly for women in the area.

"There is still work to be done but we believe this can now be taken forward."