Maternity scandals spark safety review: Experts will spearhead £2.5m study across NHS after spate of tragedies

• Experts to review safety of maternity services in NHS to reduce harm to babies
• Study will test best practices for monitoring a baby's wellbeing during labour 
• The Department of Health will give £2 million for the first phase of the studyExperts will review the safety of maternity services across the NHS in a bid to reduce harm to babies.

  They hope to establish the best ways of spotting warning signs of tots in distress so doctors can intervene sooner.

  It follows a series of high-profile scandals in which mothers and babies have died or been left with severe disabilities.

  

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  The Department of Health will give £2 million to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in order for experts to review the safety of maternity services across the NHS. (Stock image)

  The Department of Health will give £2 million to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to lead the first phase of the study. The review, which is due to be completed before the end of the year, will seek the views of healthcare staff and parents on how care can be improved.

  A further £449,000 will go towards developing a workforce planning tool that will help maternity services to determine safe staffing levels.

  The Avoiding Brain injuries in Childbirth (ABC) Collaboration will involve the Royal College of Midwives and the University of Cambridge. Maternity safety minister Nadine Dorries said: 'I am determined to make sure as many mums as possible can go home with healthy and happy babies in their arms.

  'This new programme... aims to spot warning signs earlier and save lives, preventing families and their babies from facing the horrific ordeal of a life-changing brain injury, and will help us deliver on our ambition to halve brain injuries during birth by 2025.

  'Having the right maternity staff in the right place at the right time means they can learn from one another, give the best care for mums and babies and build a safe and positive environment for both staff and pregnant women in maternity teams across the country.'

  Maternity negligence claims account for more than half of all damages paid by the NHS. A single case of brain damage can cost millions in compensation.

  

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  Maternity safety minister Nadine Dorries said she was 'determined to make sure as many mums as possible can go home with healthy and happy babies in their arms'

  The Government's maternity safety ambition is to halve the 2010 rates of stillbirth, neonatal and maternal death and brain injuries that occur during or soon after birth by 2025.

  Dr Edward Morris, president of RCOG, said: 'We understand that the impact of avoidable newborn brain injury is profound and we want to do everything we can to ensure no family has to experience it.'

  Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, chief midwifery officer for England, said: 'Providing safe and effective care to babies and their mothers is a key priority for the NHS.'