MATERNITY wards in Brighton and Haywards Heath have scored top marks against a strict set of national safety criteria.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both wards, has received the seal of approval from NHS Resolution, part of the Department of Health.

It has confirmed that the trust is delivering safe care in line with strict criteria.

Pete Landstrom, chief delivery officer for the trust, said: “This is a significant achievement for our fantastic maternity staff and services, and demonstrates their absolute commitment to the safety of the women and babies they care for.

“The trust works to ensure that safety is utterly embedded in the way we deliver care and our commitment now is to maintain these high standards.

“Women and families using our maternity services can be confident that their safety is the number one priority of us all, and all of the staff involved should rightly be very proud of themselves and their colleagues, and the difference they make.”

To gain this accolade, the trust has demonstrated clear and effective plans for staffing levels, provided evidence that all staff are taking part in appropriate training, and shown that there are effective ways for patients to provide feedback.

The trust has also demonstrated that it investigates incidents in line with best practice and has a lower number of stillbirths per 100,000 births than the national average.

Dr Ryan Watkins, chief of service for children and women, said: “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and skill of staff across the service.

“They are committed to giving the best and safest possible environment for mothers giving birth, and do everything possible to ensure that they give their very best, 24 hours a day, every day.”

NHS Resolution exists to improve patient safety, resolve disputes and provide indemnity schemes for the NHS in England.

Now the trust has met every single one of its criteria, it will be eligible for a rebate on the premium it pays equivalent to £1.2 million.

In 2017/18, the trust5 delivered 5,730 babies.

This is the latest improvement at the trust since Marianne Griffiths arrived as chief executive.

Healthwatch bosses say the trust is in a better position than it has been for a very long time.

It went into special measures in August 2016 after a hugely critical report from the Care Quality Commission.

Last month Government inspectors visited the hospital for the third time in three months.