Bliss identifies inadequate neonatal services

Bliss, the UK charity working to provide the best possible care and support for premature and sick babies and their families, has warned that two thirds of NHS neonatal intensive care units do not have enough nurses and doctors, and a similar number are consistently working at unsafe capacity.

A growing shortage of specialist nurses and doctors has left neonatal services “stretched to breaking point”, putting the safety of vulnerable babies at risk.

It argues that without urgent action from the government and the NHS, the gap between the standards expected and the care provided will only get worse.