18 January 2011
New figures from a national report show that premature and newborn babies born at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are receiving some of the best care in the country.
The report, published by the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE), shows that the death rate of newborns delivered at our hospitals was significantly less than the national average. It also showed that the number of stillbirths that occurred at the Trust is below average.
The report showed that sadly, for every 1,000 births in the UK, an average of 5.4 perinatal babies (the period from 24 completed weeks gestation to seven days after birth) died. At the Trust, the figure is lower at 3.2 deaths/1000 births. The average number of neonatal deaths (the period from seven to 28 days after birth) across the UK was 2.1/1000 births. At the Trust, this figure was 0.8.
In addition, there were on average 3.9 stillbirths per 1,000 births. At the Trust, that figure is lower at 2.4.
Dr Rim El-Rifai is the Clinical Director for Women and Children's Services at the Trust and a consultant neonatologist. She said: "Every day on our labour and neonatal wards, the delicate lives of newborn babies are put into our hands. We have a duty to make sure that they, and their parents, get the very best of care from us and we work hard to make sure that happens.
"Sadly, although a lot lower than years gone by, babies do die and this is a very upsetting and traumatic time for the families involved, as well as for our own staff.
"We're pleased to say that this report shows that the likelihood of babies dying in our hospitals is a lot lower than the national average. Having said that, we are not complacent and must continue to do all we possibly can to drive these figures down even further.
"We understand that losing a baby at any time is utterly devastating for any parent and family, and we know that nothing can take that pain away. But we are committed to supporting people who may find themselves in such a position."
The Trust has a dedicated midwife counsellor, Maggie George, who offers one-to-one counselling and emotional support for parents-to-be who have problems during pregnancy or after giving birth.
The Trust also works closely with Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, which helps to support anyone affected by the death of a baby and promotes research to reduce the loss of babies' lives.
To read the report in full, or to , visit www.cmace.org.uk. For , visit www.uk-sands.org.
To find out more about women and children's services at the Trust, including neonatal care
