Collaborative work across health boards ensures preterm babies get the neonatal care they need.
Given the current significant capacity issues, availability of intensive care cots and overall pressure on the system, neonatal units throughout the country are working together through the Scottish Perinatal Network to ensure that the right level of care is accessible for all sick and preterm babies.
Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire Chief Midwife, said:
“We are experiencing significant pressures within our neonatal service and the excellent work across the neonatal network is vital in ensuring sick and preterm babies get the care they need.
“There is increased pressure on intensive care cots across the country and sometimes this can mean transferring a baby born preterm to another hospital. This is fairly common and care is not compromised. It is standard practice but we are currently seeing more movement due to current pressures.
“Where possible, we try to move the mother in utero, so before the baby is born. However sometimes we have to move a baby and mother to create a bed for a vulnerable baby who needs intensive care support.
“Babies are only moved if it is deemed safe. We care for some of the sickest and most preterm babies in Scotland and need to ensure access to our intensive care cots.
“Not all neonatal units can provide intensive care support and so we also accept babies into our unit in University Hospital Wishaw from other hospitals that don’t have these facilities.
“All the teams within the network discuss neonatal care and cot availability on a daily basis. This teamwork and collaborative approach from neonatal services throughout the country helps to ensure the safest care for sick and preterm babies.
“Parents are supported and kept fully informed of any decision and the process involved. Scotland has a dedicated Neonatal Transport Service so any baby that has to be moved from one hospital to another is cared for by specially trained and dedicated neonatal medical and nursing staff.
“We appreciate that this can be a stressful time for new parents who have experienced a preterm birth, however the safety of our mums and their baby are of paramount importance.”
NHS Lanarkshire also continues to urge pregnant women to get their vaccination. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) last week announced that pregnant women are now classed as a priority group, with vaccination strongly recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
Recent data in Scotland shows that almost all (98%) of pregnant women admitted to hospital with coronavirus with symptoms were unvaccinated and pregnant women who get coronavirus with symptoms are three times more likely to have a preterm delivery.
Cheryl added: “Vaccination is the best way to protect women and their babies against the known risks of Covid-19 in pregnancy. It is important that pregnant women get the vaccine as soon as possible. It is best to get both doses before the third trimester, and the booster dose, to ensure maximum protection.
“For those breastfeeding, you can continue to breastfeed as normal after vaccination.”
If you are pregnant you can book your vaccination using the online booking portal at www.nhsinform.scot/covid19booster or through the National Helpline on 0800 030 8013.
You can find helpful information about the vaccines, along with how to book your appointment, at NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccinepregnancy
