EAST Lancashire's hospitals trust was labelled ‘in the red’ for its high rate of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
The trust was one of 21 organisations, which received the lowest rating in the ‘traffic light’ system for its perinatal mortality rates.
The rating means it has a mortality rate which is more than 10 per cent greater than the national average.
Angela O’Toole, head of midwifery at the trust, said: “While we are disappointed with the rating. We want to assure mothers and families the trust remains committed to reducing the number of stillbirths.
“We want to reassure women that East Lancashire’s three birth centres and one obstetric unit remain both safe and the best choice when giving birth.”
The report was conducted by MBRRACE-UK, which examined UK perinatal deaths and births from January to December 2015.
Staff at the trust said since this time they had increased training around fetal growth assessment and introduced a midwife-led clinic to scan women identified as being at risk.
Russ McLean, chairman of the East Lancashire Patients Voice group, said: “I don’t know what the reason could be for this. I’m very shocked and saddened to hear it.
“Staff seem content and we never receive any complaints about the quality of care in these departments.”
The rating means the trust is in the bottom 13 per cent of 165 NHS trust and bodies nationwide for infant mortality rate.
Lancashire Telegraph health expert Dr Tom Smith said: “We need many, many more midwives and to make sure that they are given intensive training to help identify risks earlier. The other problem is women during pregnancy who smoke, drink or are obese.
“If women are drinking it takes an effect on the brain of a baby and smoking narrows the arteries in the placenta which increases the risk.”
The report found stillbirth rate in the UK reduced by eight per cent between 2013 to 2015.