Report Uncovers Baby Care Worries

A review of neonatal services in Scotland by premature baby charity Bliss has uncovered mounting pressures in the system.

The report, titled Handle with Care, found the rate of closure to new admissions for neonatal care was higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

The charity also noted that staff shortages were placing extra burdens on parents.

About one in seven babies in Scotland are admitted to special care units.

Despite indications that the service is outperforming the rest of the UK in some areas, the report noted an overall decline in the provision of care being offered.

The authors of the report, due to be published on Monday, also found that shortages in staffed cots resulted in units being forced to close or turn babies away, leading to some parents travelling longer distances to access the care they needed.

Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, urged the new SNP Scottish Executive to commit more resources to the service.

He said: “We have long been aware of the excellent practice taking place in Scotland’s neonatal service, particularly with regard to their transport system and training of staff.

“But there are many areas where much still remains to be done.

“Any half measures in the care of sick and premature babies are unacceptable and it is essential that the new government commits the necessary resources to ensure that these babies have the best possible chances in life.”

In April, Bliss reported that the service that cares for sick and premature newborn babies in the UK was in decline and that it was further than ever from reaching recommended staffing ratios.

The charity found that only 3% of UK units were reaching recommended staffing rations.

According to data gathered for the new report, in Scotland that figure was zero.

Rates of closures to new admissions were also worse north of the border with all of Scottish units exceeding capacity at least once in a six month period.

The report says that admissions to Scottish units have risen by 402 infants from 2005 to 2006, while the number of cots has remained more or less static.

Scottish units also have a higher closure rate – 97% of units had to close in a six-month period compared with 78% in the rest of the UK.

Despite the concerns, some aspects of care saw Scotland outperforming the rest of the UK.

Bliss found that Scottish units were more able to cope with intensive care demands and have more consultants with training in neonatal care than the rest of the UK.

It is also widely accepted that the Scottish neonatal transport system is the best in the UK and a greater proportion of its nurses are trained in speciality.