A REVIEW of security on baby wards at Burnley General Hospital is being urged after a survey revealed strong concern among mothers.

One mum said lack of security could pose "a serious risk" to patients and babies. Another reported that on two occasions a man was wandering around the corridors late at night.

And one said she had to leave her baby on his own because she had to collect her own meals.

Burnley Community Health Council, which carried out the survey on "Choices in Maternity Care for Women" is to ask Burnley Health Trust to address the security issue.

But today the CHC withdrew part of the report's executive summary which stated that more than half the mums interviewed thought security needed to be addressed, after admitting that this was not borne out by the survey. Today a health trust spokesman said the hospital had effective security measures in the maternity unit and these were under constant review.

He added that in overall terms the report was very positive, with many good comments about the trust and its services.

The Community Health Council sent 500 questionnaires to mothers who had recently given birth at the hospital to see whether they were given sufficient information about their choices, how options were decided and views on the service. The report recommends that areas of concern highlighted in the survey should be acted upon, including security.

More than a third of the questionnaires (186) were returned and the survey found most women were satisfied with the care they received.

But some complained about shortages in staffing leading to options such as a water birth no longer being on offer.

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