AFTER a tough year for the Great Western Hospital's maternity unit, the department has been named one of the best performing in the country.

Following the inquest into the death of Mayra Cabrera in February, the hospital confirmed morale on the ward had suffered.

However, the Healthcare Commission, an independent inspection body for both the NHS and independent healthcare, has now rated the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust highly.

Christina Rattigan, head of midwifery at GWH, said it was down to hard work and dedication.

Ms Rattigan said: "We did well and we're absolutely delighted because that gives reassurance to mums.

"It is reassurance to staff and a testament to their hard work."

The hospital was rated from one to five in various areas and came with scores of 3.125 out of five for clinical focus, 3.5 for women centred care and 3.444 for efficiency and capability with an overall score of 3.356.

These results were then compared with the other hospitals and given ratings from least well performing to best performing.

Ms Rattigan said the unit delivered 4,082 babies last year compared with 3,796 in 2006.

However, the response from patients day-to-day has reflected the satisfaction survey's results.

"We have had a positive response," said Ms Rattigan.

"Patients appear to be happy with their care and it's important that if a mum is not happy, that it is taken down and we learn from that."

Ms Rattigan said staff had been rocked by the tragic death of Mayra Cabrera back in May 2004.

"I think everybody was shocked with Mayra's case and felt extremely sad about it because it was so sad that Mayra lost her life and of course that will impact on the whole unit," she said.

Mayra, 30, died just an hour after the birth of her son Zac after a drug blunder. In February 2008 a jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

The hospital and the ward have evaluated, and changed, procedures to make sure that such a mistake never happens again, as they would after any procedure according to Ms Rattigan.

This includes not having such medicines so readily available and implementing 20 recommendations issued by the coroner.