'Concern' over key part of Nuneatons' Maternity Unit that 'keeps breaking down'

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It means that six month long works need to take place



Concerns have been raised about the problematic lifts at Nuneaton's Maternity Unit. The two lifts do, by the George Eliot Hospital's admission, are breaking down 'more and more'.

Both need control panels being replaced but these works are set to last six months and will see only one lift in use at one time. "High on our risk register is our maternity lifts," explained Lorraine Cardill, director of midwifery and neonatal services at the Eliot, during a board meeting .

"We have got two lifts that function four floors and obviously they are very busy. They are more and more breaking down, unfortunately.

"So we do know that we need to have two control panels replaced. We know that it is going to be a 24 week period of repair. So while those are being repaired, we will only have one lift in action."

She explained to hospital board members that action plans are being put in place, including with crews from Nuneaton Fire Station should the works lead to both lifts being out of use and an emergency rising.

"Huge thankyous to Nuneaton Fire Brigade who have come and done some practising with us," she said. "In case if we have no lift they (firefighters) will be there if we need to evacuate women quickly down the stairs to a Labour ward.

"Obviously we will have risk assessments on a daily basis in place to make sure we have women in the right, we have striker chairs in place just in case of evacuation but obviously it is an ongoing concern that six month period of work.