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Baby unit gaps 'still a concern' Baby unit gaps 'still a concern'
(21 minutes later)
The report raised concerns that units could not be staffed more effectively Units dealing with sick and premature babies in Scotland are still facing worrying shortages of nurses, a charity has warned.
Premature baby charity Bliss found units regularly had to close to new admissions, leading to transfers and extra strain on families.
The figures showed a shortage of about 140 specialist neonatal nurses in 2007.
The Scottish Government said it had funded more nurse provision and was awaiting specialist advice on services.
Of the 53,000 babies born in Scotland every year, about 8,000 (one in seven) are admitted to specialist care. Of these, 1,500 need intensive care.
The shortage of neonatal nurses combined with the high levels of activity mean that many Scottish units are overstretched Bliss Baby Report 2008 The findings of the Bliss Baby Report 2008 were based on a Freedom of Information request which every neonatal unit in Scotland completed, and a survey of parents.
Bliss said that while this showed there had been some progress, there was a shortage of about 140 specialist neonatal nurses in 2007, compared with estimates of a shortage of at least 200 nurses the year before.
"The shortage of neonatal nurses combined with the high levels of activity mean that many Scottish units are overstretched," the report stated.
It added: "Between April 1 and September 1 2007, 43% of units in Scotland had to close to new admissions at some point. They did this for an average total of six days during these five months."
Transfer stresses
The research also found transfers had a detrimental effect on some mothers. One in five reported difficulties as a result of the move, more than half of them felt "isolated" at their hospital and more than 50% of their partners were unable to travel to the hospital.
Almost a third of parents also reported financial difficulties related to the transfer.
The report concluded: "Health boards need to commit to a long-term recruitment and training strategy that takes into account the rising birth rate and increasing demand for neonatal care.
"Although transport services for newborns in Scotland are among the best in the UK, pressure on the service is increasing and the needs of a baby's family can be sorely neglected if long-distance transfer is required."
The highly specialised and unpredictable nature of neonatal care means it is sometimes vital to transfer babies or pregnant women Shona RobisonPublic Health Minister Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, said doctors and nurses were increasingly being stretched to the limit.
He said: "It is extremely concerning that the most specialised baby units in Scotland are often closed to new admissions, mainly due to lack of staff. The care of our most vulnerable babies and the support for their families is crucial to get right at what is already a very difficult time."
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "While we agree with Bliss that services should be offered locally wherever possible, the highly specialised and unpredictable nature of neonatal care means it is sometimes vital to transfer babies or pregnant women."
She added: "We welcome the valuable contribution that the Bliss Baby Report makes - indeed, Bliss is a member of the neonatal sub-group of the Maternity Services Action Group that advises the Scottish Government.
"This sub-group is currently preparing its own review of the neonatal services in Scotland and their recommendations will inform future neonatal provision across the country."
Ms Robison said NHS Scotland was also testing a neonatal nursing planning tool to measure actual activity within units, rather than simply the number of cots.
Theresa Fyffe, director of the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland, said: "RCN Scotland supports Bliss in its campaign to improve levels of neonatal service provision in Scotland.
"It is simply unacceptable that babies are sometimes transferred between neonatal units because of a lack of staffed intensive care cots."