16 October 2008
By David Meilton
Specialist baby care units are under severe pressure because of staff shortages, according to a study by a specialist charity.
More than 50% of the 194 neo-natal units surveyed had been forced to close to new admissions, said the report, Baby steps to better care, by premature baby care charity Bliss.
Minimum staffing standards were not being met and mothers and babies often had to be transferred long distances to receive appropriate treatment, according to the report, which was published on October 15.
One-to-one nursing care is the minimum standard for anyone admitted to intensive care in the UK, the charity stressed.
But there was still a shortage of 1,700 neo-natal nurses to provide the minimum care needed to the babies admitted in 2007. Only one in five (21%) neo-natal units reported that they met the standard.
Every year more than 80,000 babies need specialist care, normally because they are underweight or premature.
Andy Cole, chief executive of Bliss, said: 'Professionals are increasingly being stretched to the limit. The care of our most vulnerable babies is being compromised.'
He added: 'No other critical care service would permit the capacity and staffing levels seen on special care baby units.
'Action is urgently needed to invest in our special care baby services, both now and for the future.'
PFoct2008
