New Package of Maternity Services

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced a new package of initiatives to improve maternity services in the NHS.

The package contains a range of new funding and training initiatives, such as:

£8 million for multi-disciplinary training, with at least £40,000 being available for each NHS England Trust.

£250,000 for a Maternity Safety Innovation Fund aimed at creating and piloting new ideas to improve care.

The publishing of maternity ratings for each area in the NHS, with the aim of improving transparency and raising standards.

National Quality Improvement Programme with the expectation for every maternity unit to be involved to share and improve best practices.

Rapid Resolution and Redress (RRR) scheme to give families a thorough and independent investigation, if required and eligible, and an optional alternative system for compensation.

Standardised Perinatal Mortality Report Tool to improve consistent reporting and investigations of deaths across the NHS.

Dr Clea Harmer, CEO of Sands, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Charity, commented on the new initiatives:

“We welcome the government’s renewed commitment to improving maternity safety to save babies’ lives. We’re delighted that the importance of a clear national strategy for a sustained reduction in deaths has been recognised, and resources have been committed to achieve this. It is vital that Trusts are properly supported to implement the measures outlined today…We pay tribute to the parents across the country who, by speaking out about their personal experience of bereavement, have helped us raise awareness that much more can and should be done. Their voices must continue to be heard as these new measures are rolled out.”

Professor Lesley Regan, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented:

“Stillbirth rates in the UK remain high and our current data indicate that nearly 1,000 babies a year die or suffer a severe brain injury because of potentially avoidable harm in labour…The ability to raise concerns more easily has the potential to save lives and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. Sometimes mistakes do happen and there is a continued need to build a culture of openness, honesty and transparency in order to prevent past mistakes being repeated.”

You can read the full response from SANDs here, and RCOG here.