Patient safety initiative to reduce risk of preterm birth up for national award
09 June 2026
OUH staff and colleagues from partner organisation
A pilot programme designed to reduce the risk of premature birth has been shortlisted for a national award.
The collaboration between Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), Buckinghamshire Healthcare and Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley is a finalist in the Early Stage Innovation category of the Health Service Journal Patient Safety Awards. Winners will be announced on Monday 28 September.
Every year in the UK 60,000 babies (8% of all births) are born prematurely. The Thames Valley pilot strengthens prediction of spontaneous preterm birth where there are symptoms of threatened preterm labour, specifically focusing on cervical length assessment.
A total of 46 resident doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology took part in six education days at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire.
More than 250 pregnant volunteers contributed real world experience. These doctors are now certified to perform cervical length ultrasound as a point of care test in acute maternity settings including triage and out of hours services.
This will improve preterm birth prediction and prevention, contribute to fewer unnecessary transfers between hospitals and reduce pressure on beds and services.
Dr Maria Ivan, the project’s clinical lead who is based at OUH, said: "Initiatives like this demonstrate how targeted, high quality education programmes can accelerate early competence, reduce variability in clinical practice and ultimately improve maternity care for women at increased risk of preterm birth."
Dr Aparna Reddy, Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at Buckinghamshire Healthcare, said: "This programme is a great example of effective collaboration across our region."
This initiative is coordinated by the maternity and neonatal patient safety team at Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV).
Eileen Dudley, Senior Programme Lead Patient Safety and Maternity/Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme Lead at HIOTV, said: "This innovative pilot project has been a resounding success. It addresses inequities in maternity care and will result in safer, individualised care for pregnant people and their babies. It is a privilege to have been selected as a finalist by the HSJ Patient Safety Awards judging panel."
