inspection in October 2014.

They found progress had been made at the trust as a whole, but gave it a "requires improvement" rating for being safe, responsive and well-led.

The CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, Prof Ted Baker, said end-of-life care services had made "significant progress" and "a positive change in culture among staff and leaders at the trust" was noted.

But he said action was needed particularly with regard to "maintaining appropriate staffing levels in the emergency department and ensuring a strong safety and learning culture within maternity services".

'Driving force'

Seven babies died in a 20-month period between September 2014 and May 2016.

In maternity services, the watchdog found learning from "safety incidents was not always being shared with all staff" to support improvements.

It added a lack of regular post-natal ward roundsmeant "high risk" post-natal women were not regularly reviewed and on the Wrekin midwife led unit, "medicines management was also a concern".

However, the report praised "caring and compassionate staff" and rated providing effective services and caring services as "good".

image copyright The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust image caption The trust said the CQC recognised "a number of improvements"

The trust said it had commissioned the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to help and worked with the Virginia Mason Institute in the US to improve patient safety.

It said medical care at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital had made "significant improvement."

But it admitted failing to hit the government's target of admitting or transferring 95% of A&E patients within four hours.

Trust chief executive Simon Wright said