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UK Babies' Survival Rates Vary by Region
15 Jan
Summary
- Infant mortality rates are higher in the Midlands and North of England.
- 10 worst-performing maternity centers are in the North and Midlands.
- A 2030 government target to halve infant deaths has been missed.
A comprehensive study analyzing data from 121 English maternity services between 2013 and 2022 has revealed significant regional disparities in infant mortality. Services in the Midlands and North of England consistently reported higher rates of death in newborns and stillbirths compared to those in the South.
The research identified the 10 worst-performing centers in the North and Midlands, contrasting sharply with the 15 best performers located in the South. This disparity persists despite data adjustments for factors like socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity. The study also noted that a government ambition to halve stillbirths and neonatal deaths by 2030 has been missed, although a 36% reduction has been achieved.
Concerns over "systemic failures" have been raised, with an ongoing review into maternity care expected to be published soon. Researchers hope their findings will drive improvements by enabling underperforming services to learn from the best practices of consistently successful maternity units.
