 Babies in Scotland are more likely to die early, research has found |
Babies in some parts of Scotland are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than in south east England, research has suggested. Premature baby charity Bliss claimed more than 90% of neonatal units had said they did not have enough staff to deal with the number of babies.
Campaigners said the link between deaths and hospital staff shortages could not be overlooked.
But the Scottish Executive claimed staff levels were the best in the UK.
The survey received responses from 70% of neonatal units across the UK.
Charity spokeswoman Robin Bishop said: "Ninety-two per cent of Scottish units reported they were working at over-capacity and that they just can't cope with the number of babies.
"Scotland is the worst and the south east of England is coming up best at the moment."
She claimed that 67% of units had closed their doors to new admissions at some time over the last six months.
Ms Bishop added: "This has meant that a great number of Scottish mothers and babies have had to be transferred around Scotland or out of Scotland.
"Scotland's actually doing really badly in terms of baby death rates. A baby is three times less likely to reach its first birthday than one in the south east of England, which is appalling."
She continued: "The correlation between the failure in the system and the death rates of babies cannot go unaccounted for."
Highest in UK
A Scottish Executive spokesperson said the south east of England had a very difference demographic profile to Scotland.
The spokesperson added: "It is relevant to note that infant mortality refers to death in the first year of life and is related to factors other than neonatal services, such as deprivation.
"In Scotland, premature babies requiring specialist neonatal care will receive care at a consultant-led specialist maternity unit with access to neonatal intensive care."
"Currently in Scotland, we have got the highest number of qualified nurses and midwifes in post since records began.
"Staffing rates in Scotland are also the highest of all the UK countries."
But Andrew Lyon, consultant neonatologist at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, insisted there had been a "drop-off" in staff numbers.
He said: "Here in Edinburgh, we've seen reductions in the number of nurses in the unit."
"Overall, they may say that we've got more than we had but it's very clear that that we haven't got enough and we haven't got them distributed in the right places."
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A baby is three times less likely to reach its first birthday than one in the south east of England, which is appalling
