Oxford Newborn Care Unit rated 'outstanding' in national audit

The Oxford Newborn Care Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital has been rated 'outstanding' in six out of eight areas in the latest National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP), placing it among the UK's top-performing units for premature baby care.

The NNAP reviews care provided to babies admitted to neonatal services across the UK, and this year’s audit included data from approximately 58,000 babies in 198 hospitals.

Four of the six areas in which the Oxford Newborn Care Unit, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), was recognised relate to the critical period around birth for premature babies, where timely and coordinated care can significantly reduce the risk of complications and death. These include:

• Antenatal administration of magnesium sulphate to mothers at risk of preterm delivery, which helps protect babies’ brains.
• Delayed cord clamping (waiting to clamp and cut the umbilical cord after birth) for at least one minute after birth, which has been shown to reduce mortality by a third.
• Maintaining a normal body temperature (36.6–37.5°C) on admission to the neonatal unit (another predictor of mortality in this age group).
• Providing maternal milk within the first two days of life, which supports improved immune responses and supports mother-baby bonding.

The Oxford Newborn Care Unit also excelled in two further areas:

• Timely screening for retinopathy of prematurity, a potentially blinding eye condition that requires early detection.
• Use of non-invasive ventilation in the first week of life, which reduces the risk of chronic lung disease.

These achievements reflect the close collaboration between maternity and neonatal teams, ensuring that best-practice interventions are delivered consistently and effectively.

Amit Gupta, Clinical Lead for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at OUH, said: "The Oxford Newborn Care Unit is proud of its record of providing high quality care. It reflects our team's hard work and persistent focus on doing the very best for our babies and families."

Dr Eleri Adams, Consultant Neonatologist and NNAP Lead at OUH, said: "These outcomes are a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our staff. From midwives and obstetricians to neonatal nurses and doctors, everyone plays a part in delivering safe, evidence-based care to our most vulnerable patients."

Yvonne Christley, Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the professionalism, compassion and commitment shown by our neonatal and maternity teams. Families can be confident that their babies are receiving the very best care from the moment they arrive."