A scandal-hit NHS trust where dozens of deaths are being investigated in order to protect mothers and babies has seen the number of cases of alleged poor care more than double to 215.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) review into the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust was initially launched in 2017 and was focused on 23 cases.

By August, this figure had almost doubled to 40 before it was widened again in September to include 104 cases.

Now, after the trust was put in special measures by Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week, more than 200 families have come forward with allegations of inadequate maternity practice, according to the BBC.

In October, the Care Quality Commission said it was taking “urgent action to protect people” at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust after a snap inspection found that doctors were failing to spot worrying symptoms on baby scans.

They also highlighted concerns with the ability of staff to notice signs of potentially deadly sepsis in the trust’s emergency department.

The watchdog’s action followed weeks after it emerged more than 100 cases of alleged poor care are being reviewed after dozens of families came forward worried that their babies may have been killed or seriously injured in the “toxic” maternity unit accused of being obsessed with natural birth.