Hansard

I thank Rhoda Grant for lodging the motion, which reminds us that 8,000 babies are born prematurely in Scotland each year. That is 8,000 families, all of whom have the right to the highest possible quality of care, and 8,000 reasons why we should all join Rhoda Grant today in welcoming the new quality framework for neonatal care and commend our healthcare professionals, in partnership with Bliss Scotland, for producing it.

When put in place, the framework will offer new guidance to the NHS and offer support in the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care.

In this field of study, the impact of premature birth on adult development is at present still relatively unknown. The Bliss campaign, however, has engaged with the EPICure study at University College London over the past 18 years and has contributed to a longitudinal study of the effects of premature birth. The next phase in that study was announced on Sunday 17 November.

The purpose of the study is to ensure that the interventions made at an early stage are based on well-informed evidence. With so much riding on the success of the framework, it is vital that we establish a better picture of which interventions are most effective. That can be determined only by looking at the long-term development of premature babies as they grow into adulthood.

In its response to NHS Scotland’s 2007 publication, “Better Health, Better Care: A Discussion Document”, Bliss outlined the importance of getting it right for premature babies and their parents. At the time of the consultation, the main issue that was identified to be working against the shift towards better-quality neonatal care was a shortage of nurses to deliver the specialist support. As Bliss stated at the time,

“While the care that neonatal nurses, doctors and other health professionals provide for sick and premature babies is excellent, the service is compromised by nursing shortages. While demand for neonatal services is increasing, the numbers of neonatal nurses employed is remaining almost static.”

That was in 2007. It is therefore encouraging to see that the new quality framework aims to improve safety through ensuring that duty rotas always have the appropriate level of staff on hand to meet the neonatal unit’s needs, with a high baby to nurse ratio.

Rhoda Grant quoted the British Association of Perinatal Medicine recommendations on that, which are: one nurse to one baby in neonatal intensive care; one nurse to two babies in neonatal high dependency care; and one nurse to four babies in neonatal special care. Until recently that was not the case in Scottish units, so Bliss was right in its contribution to the development of the framework to make the case for a greater number of nurses. Perhaps the minister will update us on that in his wind-up speech.

All parents going through the pregnancy and birth process hope for a positive experience and the chance to bond with their newborn baby. Wherever possible, that should not be compromised by the baby being premature.

Anyone who has experienced the birth of a baby as a mother or father will know what a moving and indescribably special time it is. Quality neonatal care does not simply mean creating a safe clinical environment; it also means providing a nurturing and understanding place for parents and their new babies at that crucial point. “Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework” seems to recognise the importance of that point. I have no doubt that Bliss was in part responsible for the immense progress made in changing the quality of care accordingly.

It is great to see that steps are being taken to provide better person-centred care and a chance for parents to have greater involvement in the decision-making process. That includes clinicians collaborating with parents in the production of a care plan, including time spent with the baby as and when it suits the parents.

Today we recognise the incredible work done by healthcare practitioners, campaigners and parents themselves, who in times of great difficulty can show such fortitude when given the right support. We also acknowledge, as I have done several times in my contribution, the vital role played by Bliss.

I commend Rhoda Grant for bringing forward the motion and give it my full support.

12:49