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BBC Radio 5 Live

5 live Investigates

5 Live Investigates

Factual: Consumer

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism, as well as taking on listeners' campaigns and consumer issues

5 Live Investigates: How safe are Maternity Units?

10/01/2016

How safe are Maternity Units?

BBC Radio 5 Live - 5 Live Investigates, How safe are Maternity Units?

Why questions are being raised about care in maternity units in England.

NHS statistics show a big jump in the number of babies injured during birth in England, raising questions about care in maternity units.

1000 baby deaths a year could be avoided if UK maternity care matched the best in Europe. Statistics for 2013 show that 5,700 babies died either before, during or shortly after birth. The UK has a mortality rate for babies that lags behind that achieved in Sweden and Norway. 5Live Investigates asks - why is the UK doing so badly in comparison? The programme finds some babies have died because of a failure to adequately monitor mum and baby during the final stages of pregnancy and during labour. Figures from the hospital regulator, the CQC, reveal that of the 95 maternity units they inspected in England last year - 38 were below the required standard.

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