Maternity and Neonatal Programme

About the programme

The MatNeo SIP aims to reduce the national rate of preterm births from 8% to 6% and reduce the rate of stillbirths, neonatal death and brain injuries occurring during or soon after birth by 50% by 2025.

These objectives will be achieved through the collaboration of stakeholders and working groups across Yorkshire and the Humber that will ensure there is alignment with all other national maternity and neonatal priorities.

The programme has three workstreams:

  • Improving smoke-free pregnancies
  • Early recognition and management of deterioration of mothers and babies
  • Optimisation and stabilisation of the preterm infant which consists of a seven-element care bundle

The MatNeo SIP Network hosts four shared learning events per year which focus on these priorities.

Who we are working with

The Network’s immediate priority is Optimisation and Stabilisation of the Preterm Infant, starting with improving the numbers of babies born in the appropriate care setting for gestation.

As we work closely with the national MatNeo SIP Team, our regional collaboration includes close links with all the Maternity Systems in the region:

  • West Yorkshire and Harrogate Local Maternity System
  • Humber Coast and Vale Local Maternity Systems
  • South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Local Maternity and Neonatal System

We also work with:

  • The Chief Regional Midwife
  • The Yorkshire and Humber Maternity Clinical Network
  • Yorkshire and Humber Neonatal Operational Delivery Network.

We are also strengthening links with local Maternity Voice Partnerships.

Future plans

We will be working on all three workstreams with a staggered approach during the next 12 months. After establishing baseline data, measurement of improvement will be tracked over time.

For the optimisation workstream we hope to see improvements in the seven-elements of the care bundle:

  • Place of birth
  • Administration of ante natal steroids
  • Administration of magnesium sulphate
  • Intra partum prophylactic antibiotics
  • Optimal cord management
  • Normothermia (maintaining a normal core body temperature)
  • Early breast milk

How to get involved

Please contact: