Vital checks being ‘missed’ for premature babies

A report, published by the Royal Collage of Paediatrics and Child Health, has highlighted that premature babies throughout England and Wales could be missing out on crucial health checks designed to identify serious disabilities at an early stage.

The review analysed information from around 86,000 newborns throughout England and Wales who needed specialist neonatal care in 2014.

Some of the newborns were more than 10 weeks premature, which puts them at a higher risk of cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and hearing impairments.

The study raises “serious concerns” that developmental and intellectual problems may be noticed late, meaning children lose out on specialist care.

According to NHS England, all babies over 10 weeks premature should be offered structured neurological and development checks at around two years of age. The study has highlighted that 46% either miss these checks or do not have the results recorded.

Dr Sam Oddie, study leader, said these checks were essential, as the sooner problems were picked up, the earlier children could receive the support they needed to reach their full potential.

Dr Oddie added “Without these checks taking place, not only does this create added anxiety for parents about whether their child’s developmental milestones are being met, it also adds pressure to the health service as such children will need to begin a new pathway through the NHS.”

The newborn charity Bliss, said it was “extremely worrying” that checks were being missed.

Chief executive of the charity Caroline Davey, said “Premature babies often have health issues at birth and need close monitoring and specialist care going into childhood to ensure they have the very best quality of life.

“We welcome the recommendation that neonatal units plan for this as part of a baby’s overall care.”

A spokesperson from NHS England said “We expect providers to adhere to existing best practice and guidance on supporting premature babies and their families.

“We continue to work closely with royal medical colleges and others to improve neo-natal services, ensuring every premature or sick baby receives the best possible care.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of Medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex Medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of Medical negligence. He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in Medical negligence claims. Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled. Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist Medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

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For further information, please see our cerebral palsy and birth injury website:
http://www.cerebralpalsyclaimssolicitors.co.uk

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.