Rise in older mothers sends ICUs to BREAKING POINT and puts sickest babies at risk

THE growing number of older mothers is putting the safety of Britain's sickest babies at risk - because they are placing "incredible" pressure on new-born intensive care units.

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Older mothers are more at risk of having premature babies

A severe shortage of neonatal nurses and doctors means units across England are not meeting national safety standards for premature and sick babies, a report from premature and sick baby charity Bliss, has revealed.

It found hospitals have a shortfall of 2,140 nurses, which are needed around Britain as those currently caring for the most vulnerable babies are "being stretched to breaking point".


Caroline Davey

Women aged 40 and over have a heightened risk of premature or traumatic birth.

The growing number of older women deciding to have children means more than two thirds of neonatal ICUs are consistently caring for more than the average 80 per cent occupancy of units.

It is recommended by the Government that hospitals only operate at 80 per cent capacity for safety reasons, otherwise it puts babies at risk and adds to families' stress and worry.

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Parents are some hospitals are not able to stay overnight with their very sick babies

Caroline Davey, Bliss' chief executive, said: "If serious investment is not made, services will be facing a crisis in years to come. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, so that every baby has the best possible chance of survival and of having a full and healthy life."

A shocking 64 per cent of units do not have enough nurses and two-thirds do not have enough doctors to meet national standard, largely due to a "severe lack of funding", the report said.

And 72 per cent of units say they struggle with nurse training and development.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal women aged 40 and over have an 11 per cent chance of giving birth to a premature baby, compared to seven per cent for those aged 20 to 34.

There is a much higher risk of infant mortality for babies born to older mothers.

At 41 per cent of neonatal ICUs across England, parents do not have access to a trained mental health worker, despite parents of premature and sick babies being at a far greater risk of postnatal depression.

And a third of units cannot provide overnight accommodation for parents of critically ill babies, or those living many miles away from the hospital, placing even more pressure on staff.

Ms Davey added: "The government set out a comprehensive vision for neonatal care in 2009, with the publication of the Toolkit for high quality neonatal services.


"This must be a wake-up call for policy-makers and healthcare commissioners to take action. This unprecedented shortage is putting babies' safety, survival and long term development at risk."

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The sickest babies can spend up to six weeks in a NICUs

Bliss has called on the Government and NHS England to invest in neonatal care so hospitals can recruit much-needed nurses, medical staff, mental health workers and other health professionals.

The charity said plans need to be made to address skills shortages and NHS Trusts need to ensure parents are offered free accommodation and meal vouchers or free hospital meals to ease the financial strain and to enable them to stay with their baby.

An NHS spokeswoman, said: “Despite increasing demand, studies consistently show standards of NHS neonatal care are on a par with other European countries.  We will consider the recommendations of the report and continue to work closely with Bliss and others to improve neo-natal services, ensuring every premature or sick baby receives the best possible care.”

NHS England’s Quality Surveillance Team is developing specific plans to undertake a comprehensive round of peer review visits of all neonatal services.

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Fraught neonatal nurses are being pushed to breaking point