PLANNING an engagement event and hosting experts behind a national review of maternity services were among improvement actions taken by Barrow hospital bosses last month.

The organisation which runs Furness General Hospital says it is on track to meet the recommendations of the report of the Morecambe Bay Investigation.

The probe into problems within Barrow’s maternity unit between 2004 and 2012, chaired by Dr Bill Kirkup, left hospital bosses with a host of actions to be taken in light of its findings.

Work carried out by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust in July including the planning of a special engagement event during which to share its progress on September 25.

David Walker, UHMBT medical director, said: “We hope to meet with as many of the public as we can to have some honest conversations about what they want from our services and how we can involve them more. Full details of this event will be announced soon.”

July also saw FGH play host to experts leading a national review of maternity services, launched by the government as a result of Kirkup’s findings.

And the trust said it has made “significant progress” with actions in each of its seven project groups: the Kirkup programme; clinical quality; education, learning and development; estates; governance; workforce; and communications and engagement

Dr Walker added: “We are pleased with the continued progress we are making to implement all of the recommendations made in the report, and still committed to meeting all the recommendations in full.

“Our focus remains on continuously monitoring the projects to ensure we remain on track and all the work is completed in full, and ensuring we regularly communicate our progress and engage with staff, stakeholders and the general public.

“We will continue to keep everyone updated on progress.”