Early babies at risk in NHS wards crisis
Premature babies are being put at risk by poor staffing levels in neonatal baby units, experts warn today.
The British Association of Perinatal Medicine – the UK’S foremost group working in newborn care – says nationally agreed staffing levels are not being met as an experienced midwife working in one Scottish neonatal unit told how she decided to retire because she cannot give the care required to work up to 14-hour shifts without proper breaks.
The staffing concerns have emerged as the Scottish Government investigates a rise in neonatal deaths in September 2021 and March 2022.
Dr Anoo Jain, a neonatal consultant and honorary treasurer at the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, said: “Patient safety standards were set in the 1990s suggesting a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio for neonatal babies in intensive care and 1:2 for those in high dependency. However, nationally in the UK we do not reach those standards regularly.”
He said the most recent figures for Scotland, taken from the National Neonatal Audit in 2019, showed neonatal wards only reach the correct level of staffing 78% of the time, adding: “Evidence tells us babies in units adequately staffed are more likely to survive and also in a healthier way, without disabilities associated with the rigours of surviving a premature birth.”
Babies born very early can suffer a range of health problems, including breathing difficulties, heart issues and brain haemorrhage.
Fears over inadequate staffing levels were echoed by leading baby charity Bliss, where chief executive Caroline Lee-davey said: “For babies born premature or sick to
have the best chance of survival and quality of life it is essential that neonatal services need to be staffed appropriately both in numbers of staff per baby and in the skills mix on the neonatal unit.
“Despite the wealth of evidence that the safety of services relies on there being adequate numbers of appropriately trained staff, neonatal services remain chronically understaffed across all specialities.”
The Royal College of Nursing in Scotland is calling for urgent action to protect patient safety and ensure that the country’s workforce is valued as a safety critical profession. Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland director, speaking as nurses vote for strike action in support of a 17% pay claim, said: “The nursing staff shortages being experienced in neonatal intensive care, as well as across Scotland’s health and social care services, are a serious concern.
“Our members are worried about the safety of their patients and the wellbeing of their colleagues. We are in this situation because of the failure of Scottish Government to address the nursing workforce crisis. Nursing staff shortages are at critical levels with over 6,000 posts across Scotland unfilled. Urgent action is needed.”
One neonatal midwife based in the central belt of Scotland told The Pot how the recommended one nurse to one premature or sick baby safety standard was often compromised because of staff shortages, with nurses often asked to care for two very poorly infants.
They said: “On days when we are seriously short, other auxiliary nurses or midwives are sometimes drafted to work with us in the neonatal unit and we have to supervise them, as they may not have the experience to look after our sickest babies.”
The Scottish Government announced its investigation into an increased rate of baby deaths in September of this year. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to lead a review into neonatal death rates. It follows the higher-than-expected deaths in March 2022 and September 2021, as published by Public Health Scotland. The review will cover all reported deaths across Scotland between April 2021 and the end of March 2022 to discover major causes. Statistics show one in seven babies in the UK is admitted to a neonatal unit for specialist care.
Last week, we reported how staffing shortages at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital contributed to two patient deaths in just one month. Freedom of Information requests on deaths and near misses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde reveal 336 incidents related to “staffing/ inappropriate skill mix”.
The Scottish Government said: “Neonatal cot capacity is monitored across Scotland on a daily basis to help identify emerging pressures on neonatal units, including pressures that may have resulted from staffing challenges. NHS Scotland’s staffing is at a historically high levels, but we’re determined to go further. That is why we announced an NHS Recovery Plan and a record £600 million of investment this winter to support health boards and their staff.
“Our national review of neonatal mortality will determine if there are any common factors that have contributed to the increased neonatal mortality rate, from both a clinical and system perspective.”