Are Newborn Babies At Greater Risk Of Medical Negligence At Night?

A national UK newspaper has investigated claims that newborn babies could be at risk of medical negligence overnight. A recent report has found that leading medical practitioners are concerned that the quality of night-time care at maternity units differs from the quality during the daytime. "I don't want to frighten people and say that the quality of care at 2am is appalling, but it's not the same level," Dr Falconer, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists told the Guardian newspaper. Dr Falcon considers that pregnant women are more likely to receive a lower quality of treatment if they give birth overnight, compared to the quality of care they would otherwise have received if they gave birth in the daytime.

Dr Falcon explained this was the case as less experienced staff were on duty overnight, and claims that having more senior doctors on the maternity units during the night-time shifts would mean there would be 'fewer mishaps.' Yet while the majority of out of hours natal care was safe, it was still an issue of immense concern, according to Dr Falcon.

'More payouts relating to night time care' claim

Over 300million pounds a year is spent by the NHS on compensation claims for alleged negligence, and by improving the quality of childbirth care during overnight shifts costs could be reduced significantly according to the experts. They blame a culture of a health service that runs at one level for 40 hours of the week and at a different and possibly inferior level during the rest of time, for example overnight.

Claims for medical negligence can ultimately cost the taxpayer millions, as the UK treasury funds the NHS. There are increasing concerns that a 'compensation culture' could lead to the NHS having less money to spend on providing quality services for all citizens at any time of the day or night.

The Royal College of Midwives has backed Dr Falcon's claims, adding that there was an increase in periods where midwives were either very busy or exceptionally busy. "We have a limited capacity to cope," said Louise Silverton from the Royal College of Midwives, referring to busy periods overnight.
Increased in birth rates

With concerns about the seniority and experience of staff overnight at maternity units, and issues with midwives having to cope with an increasing workload, the Department of Health was keen to issue a statement saying that: "all mothers should expect consistently excellent maternity services no matter what the time of day or night."

The Department of Health's proposals for maternity networks are claimed to be designed so that mothers can get safe and quality maternity services. A spokesperson for the department said: "Local maternity services should ensure there are appropriate numbers of professional and support staff, and staffing levels should be reviewed and audited annually."

It is hoped that Dr Falcon's and the Royal College of Midwives' concerns will also be addressed through a government commitment to improving the number of midwives available to new mothers.