Birth Injury & Cerebral Palsy

Ali Cloak looks at the review of the National Midwifery Council and asks whether they’re doing enough to inspire patient confidence following reports of negligence.

A new study is asking whether it is safer to have babies early in order to reduce complications for mothers and babies. This is especially important to reduce the risk of Erb’s palsy.

This week is the second Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week lead by Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK. The aim of the awareness week is to encourage all mums and mums-to-be who are struggling with their emotions to speak out and get support rather than suffer in silence.

On 9 February 2018, the European Medicines Agency published its recommendation that sodium valproate should not be used in pregnancy unless the woman has a form of epilepsy that is unresponsive to other anti-epileptic drugs.

Lucy Crawford takes a look at the latest CQC survey on UK maternity services, published last week, and reviews whether it is showing any real progress on patient safety.

What does World Cerebral Palsy Day stand for, and what does it hope to achieve? Abigail Ringer explains.

Abigail Ringer advises on a range of grants and benefits which can be used to fund appliances and adaptations for those less affected by disability.

Kerstin Kubiak considers the controversial decision of the Department of Health who have advised they will not be implementing a national screening programme for testing for Group B Strep infection in the UK.

When differently-abled adventurers with a passion for the outdoors want to get outside they may find their options limited. Here we review some of the best all terrain wheelchairs that we have seen make some big differences to peoples lives.

Simon Elliman considers a proposed new scheme to compensate babies who suffer severe injury during childbirth, and analyses the likely impacts should it be implemented.

Abigail Ringer reports about this year’s PROMPT Symposium – a collaboration of doctors and midwives who are at the forefront of driving up standards in maternity care.

Kerstin Kubiak writes about the first NICE guideline on cerebral palsy which aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy across the country.

Abigail Ringer writes about the potential benefits of the new MRI scanner installed in a Sheffield hospital, which is able to provide images of the brains of premature babies.

Ali Cloak considers new report findings that dangerously low staffing levels at present mean that half of women experience at least one ‘red flag’ event during childbirth.

Rosie Blacker writes about the plans for national testing of proposals to improve maternity care across England, and what this will mean for patients.

Kerstin Kubiak considers the ever developing technology for children and adults with cerebral palsy, and the benefits that such technology can provide in terms of promoting independence, communication and quality of life.

Paul Rumley considers the recent government announcement proposing a new ‘rapid resolution’ scheme for compensating babies who suffer injuries around the time of their birth.

Abigail Ringer writes about Baby Lifeline’s new ‘Monitoring for Mums’ appeal and the importance of good monitoring of mums and babies during labour and following birth to prevent serious injuries.

Kerstin Kubiak considers important new guidance being developed by NICE for those patients who have, or who should have, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

A blog considering Action Cerebral Palsy’s recent report analysing the availability of support and services for children with cerebral palsy in England.

Kerstin Kubiak considers the role of simulation training in managing umbilical cord prolapse, which is an obstetric emergency during labour.

In the last of our series of blogs for GBS awareness month, Kerstin Kubiak looks at how we investigate a clinical negligence claim involving a failure to diagnose and treat GBS infection in a neonate using a real case example.

In this third blog during Group B Strep Awareness month, we look at the potential impact of undiagnosed/untreated GBS for newborn babies and the injuries that can be suffered.

As Group B Strep Awareness Month remains in ‘full swing’ this blog describes why campaigners have repeatedly called for screening for GBS infection to be offered to all expectant mothers and how the UK’s current standard of care leaves some babies at risk.

July is Group B Streptococcus Awareness Month, organised by leading charity Group B Strep Support. This blog considers the implications of Group B Strep infection and why increased awareness is so important, particularly amongst pregnant women.