Articles | Shortages stretch neonatal care

Shortages stretch neonatal care

Published: Wednesday, 15 October 2008, 12:32PM

Sick and premature babies are being put at risk because of continuing staff and cot shortages at neonatal units, a leading charity claims.

A new study by the premature babies charity, Bliss, concludes neonatal units are stretched to the limit.

More than half of the 194 units reviewed had to close to new admissions between April and September last year because they were full and babies are being sent on long journeys due to a lack of cots in their local unit.

Staff shortages are a "huge problem" across the UK, with an extra 1,700 nurses needed.

The study also found that only one in five units met all of the standards set down by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine in 2001.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "There is no evidence that neonatal services are unsafe."

Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, said: "Doctors and nurses provide amazing care to hundreds of premature and sick babies and their families every day. However, professionals are increasingly being stretched to the limit.

"Staffing shortages are all too apparent on units and the care of our most vulnerable babies is being compromised.

"Action is urgently needed to invest in our special care baby services, both now and for the future."

In 2007, around 82,000 babies needed to be admitted to hospital for neonatal care - 11 per cent of all births.