The Evening Times ran an article about figures in a new report showing that women from Lanarkshire experience higher-than-average rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths than other parts of Scotland. The region recorded the second-highest rate in Scotland with 6.42 deaths per 1,000 births.
However it is worth noting that the figure of 7,096 Lanarkshire resident births includes women who gave birth outwith Lanarkshire – due to proximity to hospitals in neighbouring health boards including Glasgow and Lothian.
The MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality report shows that, for the second consecutive year, NHS Lanarkshire had a lower number of stillbirth and neonatal deaths for babies delivered at Wishaw General Hospital compared with similar hospitals throughout the United Kingdom.
The MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries) perinatal mortality report shows that of the 4,802 births within NHS Lanarkshire in 2014, still births were up to 10 per cent lower and neonatal deaths were more than 10 per cent lower compared with similar Trusts and Health Boards across the UK.
Dr Dina McLellan, Consultant Obstetrician, said: “We welcome the publication of the latest MBRRACE-UK report. Providing safe and effective care for all babies in the maternity and neonatal units at Wishaw General Hospital is our top priority.”
The new ‘See it, Say it, Do it’ campaign which encourages patients and visitors to give feedback on their care continued to receive good coverage in the press this week.
Also the multi-storey car park at the new Hunter Health Centre is set to open at the end of this month.