This is the conclusion reached in a review by the independent watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC says that temporary measures are in place to ensure that there are enough midwives to provide safe and effective care for mothers and babies.

 However, these are not sustainable and the CQC said the Trust must concentrate on establishing permanent midwifery roles and opening more long-term beds.

It also said that the Trust must plan better for emergency situations, such as complicated births or staff shortages, and ensure that staff know what to do in these circumstances.

The CQC checked progress in implementing recommendations made in 2008 by the previous regulator the Healthcare Commission. The reviews were prompted by concerns raised by a coroner following the death of two babies at the hospital. The CQC review refers to the babies’ deaths – one in June 2007, the other in May last year. While the circumstances in each case were different, the CQC says the Trust must improve how it plans for periods of high demand.

More midwives

The watchdog says it has not made ‘sufficient progress’ in recruiting more permanent midwives. The Trust estimates that it will need about 150 midwives by 2013/14, in order to meet rising demand.

The key improvements that have been made include the appointment of more supervisors of midwives, the filling of posts of risk midwife and head of midwifery, there are also plans to recruit a consultant midwife. Furthermore, policies and guidelines for maternity services are now regularly updated and cascaded to relevant staff.

The RCM’s general secretary Cathy Warwick said: ‘The actions and improvements made by Milton Keynes are welcome. The continuing increase in the number of births has made it difficult to ensure that midwife numbers keep pace, and this is the case for many English Trusts.’