Baby intensive care units ‘at breaking point’
Trend for older mums adds to pressure
THOUSANDS of babies are being put at risk because specialist hospital wards are ‘stretched to breaking point’, warns a damning report.
Nine in ten intensive care units for newborns are regularly looking after more infants than is considered safe – due in part to the trend for older mothers, a charity found.
Last year almost 900 babies had to be taken to other hospitals because departments were too full. The transfers put their lives in further danger and caused extra stress for anxious parents, according to the baby charity Bliss.
In a report published today it warns that hospital units for premature and sick babies are ‘understaffed’ and being ‘pushed beyond their capacity’.
Experts said the findings were ‘extremely concerning’ – and that the failings could lead to life-long health problems.
Around 77,000 infants in England a year need specialist care on a neonatal ward – about one in nine of the total born.
But the number is rising, partly because more women are delaying having babies until their late 30s and 40s, and so are more likely to suffer complications in labour.
The report found that 86 per cent of neonatal intensive care units did not have enough nurses to enable them to run safely. This led to 855 babies being transferred out of a unit last year because they were too full or understaffed, including 142 on ventilators.
It warned that unless the Government and the NHS urgently addressed the pressures, babies’ safety and future health remained at risk – adding that the NHS needs an extra 2,140 specialist nurses to ensure newborns received the best possible care.
Bliss chief executive Caroline Davey said: ‘This unprecedented shortage is putting babies’ safety, survival and long term development at risk.
‘If serious investment is not made, services will be facing a crisis in years to come. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, so that every baby has the best possible chance of survival and ... a full and healthy life.’
The charity obtained figures from 101 of England’s 161 neonatal units and surveyed 224 parents. One mother, whose baby was seven weeks premature, said: ‘We were transferred after one week due to the unit being full. It completely upset me as I’d bonded with other parents. My son took a dramatic step back during the transfer and in his first few days at the new unit.’
Another, whose baby was ten weeks early, said: ‘I was transferred out of area as there were no intensive care beds. It was quite a horrendous experience.’
Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: ‘ Today’s report describes a service that is overstretched and inadequately funded. There is an unacceptable shortage of healthcare professionals to care for sick babies and support their families.
‘When the care of babies is compromised, so too are their chances of life-long heath.’
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: ‘The findings are extremely concerning. Stretched and understaffed services affect the quality and safety of care provided to both mothers and babies.’
A spokesman for NHS England said: ‘Despite increasing demand, studies consistently show standards of NHS neonatal care are on a par with other European countries. We will consider the recommendations ... and continue to work closely with Bliss and others to improve neonatal services, ensuring every premature or sick baby receives the best possible care.’
‘Unacceptable shortage of staff’