UNISON PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: 1/09/06

NUMBER OF BABY DEATHS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS HIGHEST IN THE U.K

Campaigners to save the Alex Hospital in Redditch have seized upon a national report which shows that the number of baby deaths in the West Midlands is the highest in the U.K. UNISON trade union, which is fighting to save the services at the Alex, is arguing that the figures strengthen the arguments for the need to keep the maternity and paediatric services at the Alex.

The report released on August 30th by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that more babies are likely to die before their first birthday in the West Midlands than any other region in the UK. The perinatal death rate, that is the still birth or death of an infant in the first week, is 9.4 and the neonatal death rate, that is the death of an infant in the first 4 weeks is 4.7, both well above the national average.

UNISON West Midlands is concerned at the proposed downgrading of services at the Alex which could mean the axing of the maternity, paediatrics, and gynaecology services. There will be no births at Redditch, expectant mothers and family members in the surrounding Redditch and Bromsgrove districts will have to travel to either Worcester or Birmingham. Emergency children's services are also threatened with inpatient services moving to Worcester.
UNISON is urging patients, local residents and staff to join the planned protest at the Alex Hospital at 11.30 on October 5th.

Edna Hall, UNISON Regional Officer says, “The figures show clearly that the West Midlands needs to improve maternity and postnatal provision not reduce it. Moving maternity and paediatric services to the Worcester Royal will only worsen the situation for both patients and staff.”

Helen Russell, UNISON Branch Development Officer says, “The number of baby deaths in the region should be a wake up call to the Trust. They cannot afford to move services away from the Alex as this will make matters worse."

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