are being put at risk by delaye in the reorganisation of neonatal care.

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BBC Scotland‘s insert in BBC Breakfast today includes this evidence from Dr Stephen Wardle, president of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine:

So yes, delays in making progress with these proposals will be affecting the outcome for some of these babies.

Wardle is a Consultant Neonatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals. The BAMP is essentially a trade union and not some leading research centre for neonatal medicine.

Nottingham University Hospitals? From BBC Nottinghamshire in 2024:

After years of gathering evidence, senior midwife Donna Ockenden is due to publish her review – the largest of its kind in NHS history – of maternity failings at Nottingham’s two major hospitals. Hundreds of babies have died or been injured while under the care of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, which runs the departments at City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyr7em4323mo

What is the mortality rate for these ‘smallest and sickest babies?’

These include babies born before 24 weeks, who inevitably have very high mortality and make up a large share of neonatal deaths.

England and Wales (ONS, 2024): 3.0 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births.

Scotland (NRS, 2023): 2.7 per 1,000.

A 0.3 per 1 000 rate is only a 0.03% difference but out of around 45 000 per year is 14 babies in Scotland and around 150 in England & Wales.

14 babies make it. What could matter more?

Sources:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/childhoodinfantandperinatalmortalityinenglandandwales/2024/pdf

https://nrscotland.gov.uk/media/yicputl1/vital-events-reference-tables-2023-publication.pdf

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Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421