Pilot to reduce brain injuries in childbirth launched

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A new pilot that it is hoped could reduce avoidable brain injuries in childbirth is to launch across a number of NHS trusts in England on Monday.

Nine maternity units will take part in the scheme which it is hoped will improve maternity care for women and babies.

According to the DHSC, in 2021 around 2,490 babies received care for a brain injury during or after birth.

As part of the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) pilots, staff will be helped to better identify signs that a baby is showing signs of distress during labour.

It will also help staff when faced with emergencies that happen when a baby’s head becomes lodged in a mother’s pelvis during a Caesarean birth.

There are six hospitals across the North West of England that will participate in the pilot examining Caesarean birth.

They are the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Meanwhile, the maternity units at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will take part in the pilot in detection of foetal deterioration.

DHSC said that the programme could be rolled out nationally next year if the pilot is considered a success.

Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health, said:  “This is a critical step toward avoiding preventable brain injuries in babies, as we work to make sure all women and babies receive safe, personalised and compassionate care.

“This Government is working with the NHS to urgently improve maternity care, giving staff the support they need to improve safety and ensure women’s voices are properly heard.”

Donald Peebles, NHS national clinical director for maternity said: “We welcome the opportunity to further enhance the skills of NHS staff so they can provide the best possible care for women and babies.

“The NHS is already making progress on reducing rates of brain injuries in childbirth and we look forward to continuing this work with Royal Colleges and other partners as part of our commitment to improving services.”