Welsh care

In a report mirroring the publication launched in England, Bliss yesterday launched its report on neonatal care in Wales. The report again featured the need for increased levels of nursing and also the need for improved transportation. As reported on the BBC website (but not on the Bliss site - why is that not kept more up to date?), there is money available for a 12 hour transfer service, in contrast to the 24 hour service available in England. This clearly increases the risk to the most vulnerable babies who need to be moved for improved levels of care as and when they need it, not to fit within a 12 hour work day.

Andy Cole of Bliss was quoted in the Western Mail (here) as saying “There have been 12 reports about neonatal care in Wales over the last 30 years and they have all highlighted a lack of specialist staff, the lack of a transport service and the lack of capacity. We have never seen the big step change that is needed and unfortunately in Wales, the country is even further behind other areas in the UK."