Following the recent death of an infant, there are new arrangements to ensure the safety of mothers and babies during labour in the far north of Scotland.
NHS Highland has taken action at the Caithness Maternity Unit in Wick with immediate effect, which will see more expectant mothers being sent 100 miles south to Inverness.
It is understood that the baby died a few weeks ago. The full results of the post mortem are not yet available but the preliminary results strongly point to a severe infection.
The pregnancy had not been flagged as high risk. Had it been, the mother would have been transferred to have her baby at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where there is a special care baby unit (SCBU), as a matter of course.
Last year there were 254 births to Caithness women. Two thirds were in the maternity unit in Caithness General. The remainder were born in Raigmore with the majority being in the high risk category.
Dr Rod Harvey, Medical Director for NHS Highland, said: “This is a very tragic case and our thoughts and condolences are with the family.
“Regrettably our preliminary investigations have determined that this death was potentially avoidable had different arrangements been in place to ensure more timely and immediate access to advanced paediatric support facilities at Raigmore Hospital.
“Having considered the events leading up to the death and in order to ensure that as far as is possible these circumstances do not happen again, the clinical team have made a number of recommendations that have already been put in place. These changes are to improve the safety of mothers and babies during labour and birth in the Caithness Maternity Unit while we await the outcome and implications of a more detailed review of this case.”
He said that while the initial review had not found any failings in the care provided by individual staff, it had highlighted a number of issues concerning the current arrangements for assessing potential risks to the newborn. These had to be examined, but in the meantime there would be changes.
“In practical terms this means that the threshold for transfer to Raigmore Hospital pre-birth, during labour, birth and the post natal period will be lower with the result that more mothers will be transferred than under the current arrangements,“ he said.
Caithness General is classed as a consultant-led maternity unit with no neonatal intensive care unit facility. Care is delivered by midwives supported by three consultant obstetricians. While there are monitoring facilities for new born babies and anaesthetic support there are no paediatric facilities on site.
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