Counting the Cots

Counting the Cots PDFCounting the Cots RTF

Around 11,000 babies born every year in London need the extra care provided in neonatal units, and this number is on the increase. Our report examines how neonatal care services in the capital are coping with the growing pressure put on them and also looks at parents’ experiences of the care their babies received, and their involvement in that care.

The Committee found that neonatal services in London are generally working well, thanks to recent investment and committed, experienced staff. However, neonatal units across the capital are understaffed and are working at much higher occupancy levels than is recommended. Cot shortages mean that babies regularly have to be transferred to hospitals far from their homes. Parents’ experiences are mixed. Although happy with the medical care their babies received, many felt that staff needed to do more to involve parents in their babies’ care. Our report makes several recommendations that we believe will ensure neonatal care services in London continue to improve, and cope with the increasing demands put upon them.

The following letter(s) was/were received in response to this report (please note that the following PDF files contain scanned documents):Letter from Trish Morris-Thompson, NHS London PDF