04/03/2009

Extra Investment 'Could Save Babies Lives'

Hundreds of babies' lives could be saved by extra investment in health services and research, according to the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.

Every year in the UK nearly 4,000 babies are stillborn, while another 2,500 die within four weeks.

Sands claims in the report this equates to 17 babies being stillborn, per day. The charity says each day a "significant percentage" could be saved.

It added maternity services are under "considerable strain from lack of resources".

Sands' 'Saving Babies' Lives Report 2009' called upon the Government to consider babies deaths as a "major health issue", and also asked for maternity and neo-natal services to be better resourced.

It also asked for the creation of a national research strategy.

The report said half of all stillborn baby deaths were classed as "unexplained" but that did not mean they were inevitable.

"The perception that stillbirths and early baby deaths are sad but inevitable events, that these babies were somehow 'meant to die', is far from the truth," the report said.

"Although there are certainly cases of stillbirth where nothing could have been done, there is an increasing body of evidence and opinion that many of those lives could be saved.

"Maternity services in the UK are under considerable strain from lack of resources and funding and there is strong evidence to suggest that this is contributing to baby deaths."

The Department of Health in England said it was committed to improving outcomes for both mother and baby.

A spokeswoman said there had been an increase in midwives and consultant obstetricians, and increased investment in the field.

The spokeswoman added: " We have placed safety and quality at the heart of our vision for maternity services.

"There are more staff than ever before with over 25,000 midwives and 1,500 consultant obstetricians and more investment is going in - last January we announced a further £330 million for the next three years.

"For the best health outcomes, it is important that women access maternity care at an early stage."

(JM/NS)

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