Maternity services were the topic of discussion as Banbury MP Victoria Prentice visited Horton General Hospital.

She met Meghana Pandit, the chief executive of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on Monday, April 8.

They discussed outcomes from the latest CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection of the hospital's maternity services. Ms Prentice also toured the Midwifery-led Unit (MLU) on site, speaking directly to team members and learning about current improvements to practices and procedures.

Ms Prentice shared her thoughts afterwards, stating: "The recent CQC report into maternity services at the Horton raised some serious issues, so it was good to meet the chief executive of the trust Meghana Pandit onsite to discuss some of the findings further. Meghana took me to the MLU where we were able to speak directly to some of the midwives and maternity support workers on shift."

She acknowledged staff disappointment regarding report findings but also spotlighted their optimism. She noted: "The team are naturally disappointed with the outcome of the report but remain very optimistic about the future.

"Some remedial action has already been taken since the inspection took place in October with more planned work expected in the coming weeks including the installation of a new birthing pool."

She reiterated the importance of mothers' confidence in their care and assured her continuing monitoring of the situation.