The scheme is part of the UK Government’s plan to enhance maternity outcomes for women and babies. Credit: UK Government.

The UK Government has unveiled a pilot programme within the National Health Service (NHS) aimed at reducing brain injuries that can occur during childbirth.

The initiative, known as the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) pilot, is currently being trialled across nine maternity units at NHS trusts in England.

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The ABC programme is designed to enhance the ability of maternity staff to recognise and act upon signs of foetal distress during labour.

Additionally, it will provide strategies for managing obstetric emergencies, such as when a baby’s head becomes lodged in the mother’s pelvis during a caesarean birth.

The objective of the ABC pilot is to refine clinical practices, improve communication, and elevate the standard of care for women and their families.

It also seeks to foster better outcomes and experiences while also addressing disparities and inconsistencies in care delivery.

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According to recent data from the Neonatal Data Analysis Unit at Imperial College London, approximately 2,490 babies are said to have received care for brain injuries sustained during or after birth in 2021. This figure translates to 4.2 per 1,000 live births, the government noted.

On the pilot proving to be successful, there are plans to expand the programme nationally in the following year.

The programme is also anticipated to cut down the rising expenditure linked to clinical negligence.

The Department of Health and Social Care has already invested £7.8m into the ABC consortium. This consortium includes prominent organisations such as the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute.

UK Women’s Health and Mental Health Patient Safety minister Baroness Gillian Merron said: “This is a critical step towards avoiding preventable brain injuries in babies, as we work to make sure all women and babies receive safe, personalised and compassionate care.

“This government is working with the NHS to urgently improve maternity care, giving staff the support they need to improve safety and ensure women’s voices are properly heard.”