The Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) program is an NHS initiative. It aims to reduce brain injuries during childbirth. The program was launched in October 2024 and was tested in nine NHS maternity units in England.
The scheme is now set for national rollout in September 2025
The ABC programme focuses on two critical areas:
- Detecting and Responding to Fetal Distress: Enhancing the ability of maternity staff to identify signs of fetal deterioration during labour and respond promptly.
- Managing Obstetric Emergencies: Improving the management of complications such as impacted fetal head during caesarean births.
The ABC programme’s Key Components are:
- Standardised Clinical Protocols will be developed to ensure consistent and evidence-based practices across maternity units.
- Maternity teams, including obstetricians, midwives, and anaesthetists, will undergo joint training to foster effective collaboration and a multidisciplinary response to emergencies.
- Safety Culture Toolkit: Resources designed to promote a positive and communicative work environment, enhancing team performance and patient safety
- Patient and Family Involvement: The program includes feedback from women, birth partners, and healthcare staff. This helps make care focused on patients and responsive to their needs.
Funding and Support
The ABC programme is supported by £7.8 million in government funding and is led by a collaboration between the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), and the Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute at the University of Cambridge.
Expected Outcomes
The program aims to lower the number of avoidable brain injuries during childbirth. This will help families in the long run and cut healthcare costs. The ABC program aims to make NHS maternity services safer and fairer across England. It does this by standardizing care practices and improving team coordination.
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