New NHS scheme to prevent brain injuries in childbirth

The government is rolling out a national NHS programme that aims to prevent avoidable brain injuries during childbirth and help to prevent lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy.

The Avoiding Brain Injuries in Childbirth (ABC) programme aims to help maternity staff respond to emergencies more effectively by identifying signs that the baby is in distress during labour.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “All expectant mothers giving birth in an NHS hospital should have peace of mind that they are in safe hands. This vital programme will give staff across the country the right tools and training to deliver better care to women and their babies, reducing the devastating impact of avoidable brain injuries.

“Under our Plan for Change, we are supporting trusts to make rapid improvements and training thousands more midwives – but I know more needs to be done. We will put women’s voices right at the heart of our reforms as we work to improve care.”

Two high-risk areas for brain injuries

Hundreds of maternity staff, including obstetricians, midwives and anaesthesiologists, have been involved in developing and testing the quality improvement programme, which will begin in September.

It follows a pilot in nine maternity units launched in October and delivered by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and The THIS (The Healthcare Improvement Studies) Institute.

The ABC programme aims to reduce avoidable brain injury in childbirth by improving care in two high-risk areas:

• Recognising and responding to fetal deterioration during labour
• Managing an impacted fetal head during caesarean birth

This programme supports maternity teams with evidence-based tools and protocols to ensure consistent, timely, and coordinated care.

Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “The ABC programme supports multidisciplinary maternity teams to deliver safer, more personalised care. Hundreds of maternity staff, including obstetricians, midwives and anaesthesiologists, have been involved in developing and testing this quality improvement programme.

“We have heard what a difference it makes, supporting teams to work effectively together in time-sensitive and high-pressure situations. The RCOG is extremely proud to have been part of this fantastic collaboration.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today. She has over 25 years of experience writing for medical journals and trade publications. Subjects include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, disability, insurance, stock market and emerging technologies. She is also a mother to a gorgeous 13-year-old boy who has a learning disability.

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