MATERNITY services in Worcestershire have been praised despite sloppy standards being found in other hospitals across the country.

One in four hospitals nationwide are letting new mums down but hospitals in Worcestershire offer a first rate service according to the Healthcare Commission's first nationwide report.

The independent watchdog gave Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages maternity units at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra in Redditch, a rating of better performing', the second highest rating.

Thirty one trusts were given the lowest rating of "least well performing" (21 per cent), 32 trusts were "fair performing" (22 per cent), 47 trusts were ranked better performing and 38 trusts (32 per cent) were ranked "best performing".

Particular praise was given to the Worcestershire trust for they way it oversaw home births, screening, provision of antenatal classes and their content and post natal hospital care.

One mum, Trish Garness gave birth to twins Rosie and Sophie by Caesarean section at Worcestershire Royal on Tuesday.

She already has a son, Thomas, aged six who was one of the first babies born at the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital when it was opened in 2002.

Mrs Garness, aged 34, of Whitbourne said: "It has been absolutely fantastic care. The staff have been brilliant, very supportive. It has been an emotional time.

"I would like to say thank you to all the staff.

"I wasn't a bit surprised when I heard the trust had done well on the news."

The survey included feedback from local women on the quality of their care before, during and after birth.

The trust's head of midwifery Elaine Newell said: "This is a great vote of confidence in the staff who work in our hospitals and in the community.

"I hope it also provides reassurance for Worcestershire women that they have access to good local maternity care."

Trust chief executive John Rostill said the results indicated a very good level of patient satisfaction overall.

Lynne Ratcliffe, chairman of the Worcestershire Maternity Services Forum said: "Midwives and obstetricians at the trust have been working hard to enhance the services offered to mums and this is reflected in the outcome of the review.

"We shall continue to work with the trust on areas that need improvement."

Meanwhile other hospital trusts were criticised by the HCC which found that four in 10 ultrasounds - which check for abnormalities in babies - were not performed correctly.

Only 61 per cent of trusts performed all 11 checks on the heart, spine limbs, head and face of babies.

The report also criticised staffing levels - nine of the trusts had 26 or fewer midwives per 1,000 deliveries.

Trusts in the north of England performed relatively well, while trusts in London performed most poorly.