Region has high rate of baby mortality

Dec 19 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE and Cheshire have some of the highest baby mortality rates in the country, a report reveals today.

The two areas were among eight in the country in which death rates were significantly higher than the national average of 3 per 1,000 in 2005, according to the National Audit Office.

It compared to a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 in Merseyside and Cheshire. The south west Midlands area had the highest death rate at 4.8, while the figure was 1.8 in Surrey and Sussex.

The NAO study says differences in mortality rates throughout the country cannot always be explained by socio-economic factors.

It also concludes premature and sick babies in England could be being put at risk due to a nurse and cot shortage.

Union sources were last night unaware of any staffing or equipment issues at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, where the majority of Merseyside’s new born babies are looked after.

The report found “significant shortages” of trained nurses across England and baby units operating above capacity.