Top care at maternity units has saved them almost £1m.

This month maternity units at St Helier and Epsom hospitals were awarded the level two standard under the NHS's clinical negligence scheme for trusts, after a two-day audit of their services.

A spokesman for the hospitals said the award would lower the units' insurance premiumss by 20 per cent - saving £893,000.

Dr Rim El-Rifai, clinical director for women and children’s services, said: "It’s extremely gratifying to have achieved this award, which confirms something I had already believed - that we offer excellent maternity services to prospective families."