Page 1042 - Week 03 - Thursday, 23 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
(2) What were the causes of those deaths referred to in part (1).
(3) How many of the deaths referred to in part (1) were considered to be preventable.
(4) What was the cost of any compensation paid to parents.
(5) Were the deaths investigated; if so, by whom; if not, why not.
(6) What changes were made to hospital procedures and care programs to prevent future similar causes of death.
(7) Were the deaths reported to the Child Death Review Committee; if not, why not.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1.
|
Year |
Number of neonatal deaths | |
|
a) |
2013-14 |
21 |
|
b) |
2014-15 |
16 |
|
c) |
2015-16 |
19 |
|
d) |
2016-17 |
10 (as of 20 February 2017) |
2. The two leading causes for neonatal deaths are extreme prematurity or congenital abnormalities.
3. Currently there are no Australian standardised definitions to assess preventability for neonatal deaths due to the complexity related to review of cases as well as social, maternal and neonatal factors. Work is currently being undertaken through the AIHW to determine a valid and standardised method of defining and characterising avoidability/preventable factors for neonatal deaths with the ACT participating in these working groups.
4. There are no claims meeting the criteria referred to in part (1), therefore there has been no compensation paid to parents.
5. There are several layers of review of neonatal deaths at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children to ensure a high standard of care for women and their neonates. All neonatal deaths are reviewed by both the Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Committee and the Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Committee. The ACT Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Committee review all cases and provide an annual report to the ACT Health Quality and Safety Committee and a five year public health report.
6. The two leading causes of neonatal deaths are extreme prematurity and congenital anomalies. Currently there are minimal interventions available to clinical staff to prevent extreme prematurity, which continues to be a global problem. The same is true for congenital anomalies.
The midwifery, neonatal and medical staff at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children undergo regular training updates to ensure that they provide a high standard of antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care for women and their neonates. This experienced team consists of midwives, ultrasonographers, obstetricians, fetal medicine specialists, neonatal nurses and neonatologists who provide comprehensive and safe antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care for the women of ACT and the surrounding
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video