Watchdog investigating national rise in stillbirths

A national review has been launched by regulators because of an increased number of stillbirths during the first wave of covid, HSJ can reveal.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) is investigating 40 intrapartum stillbirths which took place between April and June this year, when the country experienced the first wave of COVID-19. During the same three months in the previous year, 24 stillbirths were reported to HSIB.

The HSIB has told HSJ it has now launched a thematic review into the stillbirths, which will investigate stillbirths in all settings across England during that time period.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which has also launched a national review into perinatal outcomes during the pandemic, estimates that 86 per cent of maternity units reported a reduction in emergency antenatal presentations in April, “suggesting women may have delayed seeking care”.

HSIB is aiming to complete the thematic review early next year. It said the stillbirths being investigated are not concentrated on any geographical area or trust.

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Source: HSJ, 2 November 2020