Women and babies were found to be receiving good care at a hospital despite maternity services across England facing significant challenges.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the care at Darent Valley Hospital, in Dartford, as 'good' following an inspection in October.

The visit was part of the watchdog's national maternity inspection programme to provide an up to date view of the quality of care across the country.

Inspectors gave the services run by the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust a 'good' rating for being well-led.

But inspectors said it 'requires improvement' over providing safe care due to a shortage of staffing in some areas of the department.

Head of hospital inspection at the CQC, Carolyn Jenkinson said: "Maternity services across England have faced significant challenges, but we found women and babies were generally receiving good care in a well-led maternity service at Darent Valley Hospital.

"However, we did find some safety concerns at this focused inspection, which the trust needs to address.

"There were concerns around the shortages of staff in certain areas of the department.

"However, the trust was doing everything in its power to mitigate any risks.

"The trust knows where they need to make improvements and we will return to check on their progress."

The inspection report published today said staff "worked well together for the benefit of women" and understood how to protect them from abuse.

It added staff could identify risks against patients and acted on them, raised safeguarding concerns and there was generally enough staff to care and keep them safe.

Although most had completed mandatory training, the report said some staff members had not due to the pandemic and staffing pressures.

"Our staff are committed to delivering a high standard of care..."

Bosses at the trust had provided an updated plan saying all training will be completed by December.

CQC inspectors also found people were able to "access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment".

They also found the service promoted equality and diversity through its maternity, equality, diversity and inclusion scheme.

The report said staff felt "respected, supported and valued", were "proud to work for the trust" and the culture was "one of learning, not blame".

Despite this, inspectors found some notes were not kept securely as they were paper based and stored on an unlocked trolley.

When this was raised with managers, the issue was said to be dealt with immediately.

They also found some gaps in the daily checks of equipment, there were some staffing shortages and some staff were not bare below the elbow.

Following the visit on October 11, inspectors rated the service as 'good' overall. The trust and hospital's ratings of 'good' are unchanged by the inspection.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: "It is always very helpful to have an external review of our service and we welcome the CQC report.

"The fact that the report stated how women and babies generally receive good care in a well-led maternity service is reassuring.

"Nevertheless, it is the areas that the CQC have recognised for improvement that we will now be making our main priority.

"Our staff are committed to delivering a high standard of care to local women and their families every day of the year and this rating is a positive endorsement of the care we are providing in DGT."