Growing pains

The inquiry found 92 per cent were happy with their overall care but, alarmingly, nearly a quarter were left alone and worried at some stage during labour and birth.

The NHS has benefited from unprecedented levels of investment during the last decade and it is the only significant Government department to be protected from the Chancellor's swingeing cuts. Given those circumstances, it is appalling that aspects of care are failing so many.

The Government is attempting to improve the system by launching a new comparison service for expectant parents, enabling people to rate services across the NHS. Using competition to inspire better performance can be an effective tool and has its merits in certain sectors, although the health service remains extremely complex.

There can be underlying issues at one hospital that another does not have to cope with, and great care must be taken when publishing a ratings system led by patient opinion. The internet has given public opinion immense power, and people are more likely to voice their views when things have gone badly.

A disproportionate number of complaints could have a snowball effect, with patients starting to look for problems to highlight and creating a reputation from which a hospital could take many years to recover. Public bodies have found in the past that such a reputation can destroy morale, stop the best people applying for jobs and result in skilled staff leaving for pastures new.

Clearly improvements are needed, but any policy changes must be made with the greatest of care so as not to damage the hospital and without letting down the patients it intended to help.