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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Shortages 'undermine' baby units | Shortages 'undermine' baby units |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Urgent action is needed to tackle a severe shortage of nurses dealing with sick and premature babies, according to research carried out by a charity. | Urgent action is needed to tackle a severe shortage of nurses dealing with sick and premature babies, according to research carried out by a charity. |
| The report published by Bliss suggested a shortage of at least 200 nurses in Scotland's 15 specialist units. | The report published by Bliss suggested a shortage of at least 200 nurses in Scotland's 15 specialist units. |
| It also highlighted problems with overcrowding and said units sometimes had to turn away new admissions. | It also highlighted problems with overcrowding and said units sometimes had to turn away new admissions. |
| The Scottish Government said a review of services has been launched and it would consider its findings. | The Scottish Government said a review of services has been launched and it would consider its findings. |
| The study said services were being "stretched to breaking point" and that shortages were undermining progress. | The study said services were being "stretched to breaking point" and that shortages were undermining progress. |
| The report - Small babies, short changed? - was based on replies from 14 of the country's 15 units. | The report - Small babies, short changed? - was based on replies from 14 of the country's 15 units. |
| Exceed capacity | Exceed capacity |
| It said neonatal units were understaffed by about a third, and that nearly half the units were 90% full over the last year. | It said neonatal units were understaffed by about a third, and that nearly half the units were 90% full over the last year. |
| Experts say an average occupancy rate of 70% over a year is safe. | Experts say an average occupancy rate of 70% over a year is safe. |
| "The pressure on the system means that mothers and babies may travel long distances in search of a unit with the appropriate facilities," said the report. | "The pressure on the system means that mothers and babies may travel long distances in search of a unit with the appropriate facilities," said the report. |
| Good practice is being undermined by a severe shortage of nurses Andy ColeBliss chief executive Full interview | Good practice is being undermined by a severe shortage of nurses Andy ColeBliss chief executive Full interview |
| "A major consequence of the shortage of nurses is that units frequently exceed their capacity and are sometimes forced to turn away admissions." | "A major consequence of the shortage of nurses is that units frequently exceed their capacity and are sometimes forced to turn away admissions." |
| Researchers said services were increasingly being stretched to breaking point and warned that safety would be compromised if the trend continued. | Researchers said services were increasingly being stretched to breaking point and warned that safety would be compromised if the trend continued. |
| "The Scottish system is being kept together by the goodwill of doctors and nurses working long hours and taking on more babies than they officially have space for," said the report. | "The Scottish system is being kept together by the goodwill of doctors and nurses working long hours and taking on more babies than they officially have space for," said the report. |
| "It is inevitable that staff morale is low across the service and that the strain on the system adds to parents' anxiety at an already stressful time." | "It is inevitable that staff morale is low across the service and that the strain on the system adds to parents' anxiety at an already stressful time." |
| Bliss chief executive Andy Cole said the rest of the UK could learn from the progress which had been made in neonatal care north of the border. | Bliss chief executive Andy Cole said the rest of the UK could learn from the progress which had been made in neonatal care north of the border. |
| But he added: "Good practice is being undermined by a severe shortage of nurses. | But he added: "Good practice is being undermined by a severe shortage of nurses. |
| We are aware of issues in neonatal services and are currently carrying out a comprehensive review of this service Shona RobisonPublic Health Minister class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7073668.stm">One mother's story | |
| "The Scottish Government must address this worsening situation and commit the necessary funds to allow baby units to achieve minimum nursing levels." | "The Scottish Government must address this worsening situation and commit the necessary funds to allow baby units to achieve minimum nursing levels." |
| Public Health Minister Shona Robison welcomed the report. | Public Health Minister Shona Robison welcomed the report. |
| "We are aware of issues in neonatal services and are currently carrying out a comprehensive review of this service through a dedicated neonatal sub group of the maternity services action group," she said. | "We are aware of issues in neonatal services and are currently carrying out a comprehensive review of this service through a dedicated neonatal sub group of the maternity services action group," she said. |
| "The Scottish Government will give full consideration to the findings and recommendations of the report when it is published." | "The Scottish Government will give full consideration to the findings and recommendations of the report when it is published." |
| The minister added that a new "nursing workload tool" was being introduced which would allow "meaningful comparisons" to be made across Scotland. | The minister added that a new "nursing workload tool" was being introduced which would allow "meaningful comparisons" to be made across Scotland. |
| Ms Robison said this would give information which could be used when making decisions about staffing levels. | Ms Robison said this would give information which could be used when making decisions about staffing levels. |