Released on: 10 June 2015
In response to the MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality report, Sarah McMullen, Head of Research and Quality, NCT, said:
“It’s totally unacceptable that there is such inequality across the UK in the numbers of babies dying around the time of birth. Every one of these deaths is devastating for a family. It’s particularly shocking that mothers living in poverty or from certain ethnic minority groups are over 50% more likely to experience a stillbirth or neonatal death.
“Action must be taken to prevent the avoidable deaths of babies around the time of birth and we urge NHS Trusts and Health Boards with higher than average rates to implement a review of local services. High quality, timely support should be available for all new mothers and there is an urgent need to ensure that vulnerable women have access to appropriate antenatal care.”