David Ruffley MP has today congratulated maternity service staff at West Suffolk Hospital on meeting higher standards in quality of care and safety.

The NHS Litigation Authority's Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, which was set up to fund clinical negligence litigation, seeks to support NHS Trusts' efforts in reducing claims by improving on services.

Assessors judge Trusts on several criteria including communication, staffing levels, training and keeping staff updated, implementation and reduction of risks and then rate them from 0 to 3, with 3 being the highest score.

The maternity unit at West Suffolk Hospital, which has met level 1 standards for the first two years the standards have been in place, has just complied with level 2 requirements. Only a third of maternity units in the UK have achieved level 2.

David said:

'This is a fantastic achievement by staff at the West Suffolk. It recognises the quality of service they provide and the improvements they are working so hard to introduce.

'Importantly this recognition also has financial implications. At a time when funds in our health service are incredibly tight this achievement means the Trust will be given a further 10 percent discount on the £1.3million insurance premium it pays out each year.

'I would like to congratulate all the staff at the maternity unit on complying with level 2 standards and look forward to hearing of their future success.'