Enter and view: Mulberry Ward Maternity Report
Download (PDF 1.12 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Redbridge carried out a visit to Mulberry Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital, part of Barts Health NHS Trust, in early 2026 as part of our ongoing work to understand maternity experiences at the hospital. The visit followed two visits carried out in September 2024 which identified concerns around communication, staffing at night, and cultural sensitivity. Subsequent meetings were held with senior leadership at Whipps Cross Hospital to address our concerns and to act on the findings.
The ward has undergone significant refurbishment since 2024, and the improvements to the physical environment were noted positively – families commented on the privacy offered by individual rooms, and staff noted that the ward felt calmer and better organised.
A number of significant concerns were also raised, several of which are consistent with those identified in 2024. Families described delays in call bell responses, inconsistent quality of care across shifts, and interactions with some staff that were experienced as dismissive or lacking in compassion. In two cases, concerns about babies’ wellbeing raised questions about the robustness of monitoring and the quality of communication when clinical issues arose.
Several families also described feeling that responsibility for difficulties in their care was attributed to them at distressing moments. This is a particular concern where families from minority ethnic backgrounds, or those whose first language is not English, may face additional barriers to having their concerns heard and addressed.
The concerns raised during this visit are also consistent with the findings of a number of major national maternity and neonatal enquiries, which highlight systemic challenges around communication, responsiveness, discrimination and basic standards of care across English maternity services.
Healthwatch Redbridge makes eight recommendations aimed at supporting a more consistent, compassionate and responsive environment on Mulberry Ward.