Update on new model of neonatal care

Laura Skaife-Knight, Chief Executive of NHS Grampian, who is one of three health board chief executives co-chairing a national Task and Finish Group to provide national oversight of delivery of the neonatal intensive care model implementation, has shared an update on why it's important, progress and arrangements.

 

Neonatal care across Scotland is being developed in line with the recommendations of the Best Start review and will align with service models across the UK. NHS boards are working together and, for NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Tayside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be located in Aberdeen.  Local Neonatal Units and Special Care Baby Units as well as Community Maternity Units will be available in other locations. 

 

Laura said: "Clinical evidence shows enabling very specialist teams to see a greater number of babies who have very complex needs by concentrating this complex care in fewer centres is the safest approach and improves outcomes for babies. This is because, as technology and expertise in healthcare has improved, the complexity of care for our most vulnerable babies has increased too. This means the way we deliver care has had to evolve and the range of specialist skills needed to support these babies has expanded too.  

 

"Our priority is safe, sustainable and consistent care for everyone.  The implementation of a new neonatal intensive care model remains a top national and Ministerial priority. A Task and Finish Group is working to ensure national co-ordination of the implementation plans and to work through a number of outstanding issues, including those that were of importance to our clinical teams. Work through this group is progressing, with detailed implementation plans and the goal of making progress towards the three-site model this year. In Grampian, full implementation of the plan will align with the timings for the opening of The Baird Family Hospital." 
 

This development will enable us to retain and enhance highly specialist neonatal services for the smallest and sickest babies in the North of Scotland.  
 
Every year in Scotland, approximately 10% of newborn babies are admitted to neonatal care. Most aspects of neonatal care will continue to be delivered in their local neonatal unit. For the small numbers of babies born before 27 weeks, or who are extremely unwell and most at risk, going to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Aberdeen will mean increased specialist health support and focus on improving long-term health outcomes. Babies who require certain specialist care, such as cardiac surgery, will continue to be treated in Glasgow. Babies receiving care in one of the three intensive care units will be transferred back to their local neonatal unit for ongoing care as soon as possible.