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Content ArticleBlack women in the UK are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth compared to white women (MBRRACE, 2019). A petition recently called for more research into why this is happening and recommendations to improve healthcare for Black Women as urgent action is needed to address this disparity. The petition exceeded the threshold of 100,000 signatures required in order to be considered for debate in Parliament. The Government issued this written response on 25 June 2020.
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Content ArticleMore than 1 in 10 women will experience postnatal depression within the first year after giving birth. With a recent study showing that postnatal depression is 13% higher among black and ethnic minority women than it is among white women, it raises significant questions around whether these women are receiving the right treatment and support.
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Content Article
RCOG: National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA)
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Maternity
The National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) is a large scale audit of the NHS maternity services across England, Scotland and Wales undertaken by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Using timely high-quality data, the audit aims to evaluate a range of care processes and outcomes, in order to identify good practice and areas for improvement in the care of women and babies looked after by NHS maternity services. -
News ArticleA hospital trust under the spotlight over avoidable baby deaths provided inadequate antenatal care, with inexperienced junior midwives working alone and doctors not always available to assess high risk women, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found. The latest CQC report on maternity services at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust follows a report last month by the NHS Healthcare Services Investigation Branch on 24 maternity care investigations at the trust. Read full story (paywalled) Source: BMJ, 28 May 2020
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Content ArticleThis data snapshot from Santoli et al. highlights the results of an examination of two data sets (Jan to April 2019 and Jan to April 2020) to assess the impact of the pandemic on pediatric vaccination in the United States. The authors found significant vaccination declines and highlight the importance of childhood vaccination to prevent future disease outbreaks.
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News Article
Agency is criticised over its investigation into baby’s death from hypoxia
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The coroner investigating the botched birth of a baby boy who died from hypoxia has strongly criticised the Healthcare Service Investigation Branch (HSIB) over its report on his death. Karen Henderson, who conducted the inquest into the death of baby Theo Young in May 2018 at East Surrey Hospital said that the HSIB had asked Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust not to undertake its own investigation, “effectively preventing the recognition of causes of concern and therefore being unable to undertake any immediate and necessary remedial action at the earliest opportunity to prevent future deaths.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: BMJ, 19 May 2020 -
Content ArticleThe Children’s Commissioner’s Office is concerned about the limitations in support offered to new families under lockdown, the reductions in contact with health visitors, and the inability to maintain birth registers. In this briefing paper, they highlight the need for policymakers to put families with young children, and especially those with newborns, at the heart of coronavirus planning. It shows that the risks to babies and young children can be reduced if the government and services think creatively to find ways to bring vital support to new parents, and takes proactive steps to ensure that different agencies routinely share data on these children – now more important than ever.
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News Article
Concerns for wellbeing of babies born in lockdown
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Concerns for the wellbeing of babies born in lockdown are being raised, as parents struggle to access regular support services. England's children's commissioner is highlighting pressures facing mothers caring for babies without the usual family and state support networks. Playgroups are closed and health visitor "visits" are being carried out remotely in most cases. The NHS said adaptations had been made to keep new mothers and babies safe. The briefing paper from Anne Longfield's office says an estimated 76,000 babies will have been born in England under lockdown so far. But births are not being registered, because of temporary rules tied to the virus pandemic, so even basic information about new babies is not being gathered. At the same time, support services provided by health visitors and GPs are not readily accessible, with many taking place via phone and video calls or not at all. There are concerns many babies may have missed their developmental health checks, due in the first few weeks of life to pick up urgent developmental needs. "In some areas, the six-week GP baby check hasn't been available or parents haven't wanted to attend it due to a potential risk of infection," she said. Read full story Source: BBC News, 7 May 2020 -
Content ArticleThis resource from Best Beginnings provides information about many national and local charities offering remote support for pregnant families and new paretns during COVID-19. The list includes organisations offering support and advice around: Pregnancy and birth Health conditions in pregnancy Parents of twins, triplets and more Premature Unwell babies Babies with disabilities or health conditions Breastfeeding and infant nutrition Mental health Bereavement Birth trauma.
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Content ArticleThis article is written by Ryan Van Lieshout, Canada Research Chair in the Perinatal Programming of Mental Disorder. He looks at the mental health challenges new mums are facing during the coronavirus pandemic and highlights the importance of self-care, with particular reference to 'NEST-S' (nutrition, exercise, sleep, time for self, supports).
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News Article
High-risk pregnancies could be missed due to pandemic, experts warn
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Experts have raised fears that high-risk pregnancies may be missed due to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a potential rise in stillbirths and neonatal deaths. During a session of Westminster’s Health and Social Care Committee, Gill Walton, the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said there was a “fear” among pregnant women presenting themselves to maternity services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who chairs the committee, said one of the most important elements of maternity safety was to identify higher-risk pregnancies early “so that interventions can be made to prevent stillbirths, complications, or even the death of a baby”. Mr Hunt added the President of the Royal College of Obstetricians, Dr Edward Morris, had told him he is “worried that some higher-risk pregnancies may be being missed” because of fewer face-to-face appointments and missed scans. Asked whether she shared that concern, Ms Walton told MPs: “I do share that concern. Some of that is related to the fear of the pregnant population and presenting to maternity services during the pandemic." "That fear then prevents them sometimes just picking up the phone to call their midwife to say that may be concerned about not feeling well, or that they’ve got reduced foetal movements.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 1 May 2020 -
Content Article
Home births, fears and patient safety amid COVID-19
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Blogs
The COVID-19 outbreak has had an impact on all areas of health and social care. While understandably the focus of the healthcare system currently rests on the pandemic, it is important that we also consider the impact on non COVID-19 treatment and care. This has been recently highlighted by the UK Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, who has warned about the impact that the pandemic will have on other areas as the health system is “reorientated towards COVID”.[1] Patient Safety Learning believe that in this context the need to pay attention to patient safety is now more important than ever. Pregnant women represent a unique patient group, facing very specific challenges. Although early evidence indicates that babies and children are less severely affected by the virus, many are concerned for the safety of their baby within the unfamiliar backdrop of COVID-19. It is understandable that fears persist when there are reports of pregnant women, children and midwives who have tragically lost their lives. This is the first blog where we will look at the impact of the pandemic on maternity services. Here we will focus on the safety implications of both low and high-risk women choosing to birth at home due to fears of contracting the virus in hospital. We also raise questions as to whether a blanket suspension of home birth services is putting some women and babies at greater risk. -
Content ArticleThis briefing, from the Royal College of Midwives, sets out the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of women choosing to birth unassisted (freebirth). It highlights that anecdotal evidence suggests the number of women choosing to have their babies in this way is on the rise, due to a reduction in birth options. This briefing looks at the safety and legal implications, key guidance around freebirthing and lists some important considerations for midwives when caring for women who make this decision.
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Content Article
Birthrights: COVID-19
PatientSafetyLearning Team posted an article in Good practice and useful resources
Birthrights are working hard to support maternity healthcare professionals to make thoughtful decisions even in these challenging times and to support pregnant individuals and their families. This webpage includes further information about pregnant women's rights, Birthrights position statement in light of the pandemic and a list of FAQs. -
Content Article
Midwifery during COVID-19: A personal account
Anonymous posted an article in Blogs
I am a case loading midwife, working during the coronavirus pandemic. This is my personal account of what we are doing in my area to keep our women and ourselves safe, and the barriers we are facing.- Posted
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Content ArticleThis guidance was published on 9 April 2020 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwifery. It highlights that childbearing women and newborn infants continue to require safe person-centred care during the current COVID-19 pandemic and they represent a unique population. The majority are healthy, experiencing a life event that may bring clinical, emotional, psychological, and social needs. Women and newborn infants therefore require access to quality midwifery care, multidisciplinary services and additional care for complications including emergencies, if needed. When staff and services are under extreme stress there is a real risk of increasing avoidable harm, including an increased risk of infection, morbidity and mortality, and reductions in the overall quality of care. Safety, quality and preventing avoidable harm must be key priorities in decision making. Continuation of as near normal care for women should be supported, as it is recognised to prevent poor outcomes.
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Content ArticleThis question and answer web page from the World Health Organization provides key information about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak. Questions include:Are pregnant women at higher risk from Covid-19?I’m pregnant. How can I protect myself against Covid-19?Should pregnant women be tested for Covid-19?Can Covid-19 be passed from a woman to her unborn or newborn baby?What care should be available during pregnancy and childbirth?Do pregnant women with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 need to give birth by caesarean section?Can women with Covid-19 breastfeed?Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have Covid-19?I have Covid-19 and am too unwell to breastfeed my baby directly. What can I do?
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News ArticleA campaign to reduce stillbirths, brain injury, and avoidable deaths in babies has failed to have any effect in the past three years, findings from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists show. The president of the college, Edward Morris, has urged maternity units across the UK to learn from the latest report and act on its recommendations. “We owe it to each and every person affected to find out why these deaths and harms occur in order to prevent future cases where possible,” he said. Read full story (paywalled) Source: BMJ, 19 March 2020
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Content Article
RCOG: Each Baby Counts 2019 progress report
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Maternity
Each Baby Counts is a national quality improvement programme led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to reduce the number of babies who die, or are left severely disabled, as a result of incidents occurring during term labour. The Each Baby Counts programme brings together the results of local investigations into stillbirths, neonatal deaths and brain injuries occurring during term labour to understand the bigger picture, share the lessons learned and prevent babies from dying or suffering brain injuries in the future. This report presents key findings and recommendations based on the analysis of data relating to the care given to mothers and babies throughout the UK, to ensure each baby receives the safest possible care during labour. -
Content Article
Moms of Tracheostomy Babies Facebook Group
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Suggest a useful website
This group is designed to bring together mothers (and fathers) of children (of all ages) with a tracheostomy, for support and advice. It is a group for parents only. -
Content ArticleBetter Births set out a compelling view of what maternity services should look like in the future. The vision is clear: we should work together across organisational boundaries in larger place-based systems to provide a service that is kind, professional and safe, offering women informed choice and a better experience by personalising their care. Whilst Better Births described the vision, this resource pack sets out in detail what needs to be done and how it can be accomplished across the whole of England. It is designed to provide tools to help Local Maternity Systems turn the vision into reality and the practical advice needed to plan, commission and operate maternity services in their localities.
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News Article
East Kent baby deaths: "Hospital did not learn from mistakes"
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The parents of a baby who nearly died after a series of failings during his birth said they were "heartbroken" mistakes continued to be made East Kent Hospitals told Harry Halligan's parents they would learn lessons from his delivery in 2012. But similar failings recently came to light after the death of Harry Richford in 2017 and the trust is now being probed over up to 15 baby deaths. The trust said it made "many changes to the maternity service" after 2012. Parents Dan and Alison Halligan, from New Romney, said watching news coverage of an inquest into Harry Richford's death earlier this year, which laid bare the failings, had brought back stressful memories. Mr Halligan said the trust "clearly haven't learned from [the] mistakes" made in his son's care, adding that it was "heartbreaking" to see "the same mistakes being repeated". Read full story Source: BBC News, 5 March 2020 -
News Article
NHS to benefit from digital 'Redbook' app
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
As part of the NHS Digital Child Health programme, Personal Child Health Records or “Redbook” will receive a digital makeover. NHS Digital has considered the limitations of the physical Redbook and decided that digitalisation is the way forward for parents to easily access important health and development information. Nurturey has been evolving its product to align with NHS' Digital Child Health programme. It aims to be an app that can make the digital Redbook vision a reality and currently in the process of completing all the necessary integrations and assurances. It is hoped that by using smart digital records, parents will be more aware of their child’s health information like weight, dental records, appointments and other developmental milestones. Tushar Srivastava, Founder and CEO of Nurturey, said: “Imagine receiving your child's immunisation alert/notification on the phone, clicking on it to book the immunisation appointment with the GP, and then being able to see all relevant immunisations details on the app itself. As a parent myself, I see the huge benefit of being able to manage my child’s health on my fingertips. We are working hard to deliver such powerful features to parents by this summer.” Read full story Source: National Health Executive, 5 February 2020 -
News Article
Baby boy died from sepsis after doctors’ delay giving antibiotics
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A three-month-old boy died from sepsis after ‘gross failures’ by medics to give him antibiotics until it was too late, an inquest ruled. Lewys Crawford died a day after he was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with a high temperature last March. Jurors at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court said the failure of doctors to treat his illness with antibiotics until seven hours after his arrival had ‘significantly contributed’ to his death. They found the little boy died from natural causes contributed to by neglect in his care. Read full story Source: The Metro, 15 February 2020 -
Content ArticleThis is the response form the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Nadine Dorries MP, to an urgent question from Sir Roger Gale MP on maternity care failings at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. It was followed by questions from MPs in the chamber and Ms Dorries’ responses.
