24-Hour Neonatal Transport Service for South and West Wales launched

Sick or premature babies in south and west Wales requiring emergency transfer now have access to a 24-hour dedicated transport service. 

The interim 24-hour Neonatal Transport Service for South Wales (CHANTS) is delivered by three clinical teams based within the neonatal intensive care units at Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale and Swansea Bay University Health Boards, with a dedicated ambulance provision and crew from Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST).

Elizabeth Gallagher, manager of the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Network, said, “Establishing this 24-hour service is a significant milestone for the Network and the culmination of extensive work by all NHS partners over many years. 

“Most importantly, however, it provides a high quality service to our extremely sick babies and will undoubtedly have an impact on improving clinical outcomes.” 

The previous service had been limited to a 12-hour day time provision. Managing outside operational hours relied on extended hours, staff goodwill and WAST support, but inevitably there were occasions where babies had to remain for a time in a unit not commissioned to deliver the level of care they require.

An external review of neonatal transport commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC), published in December 2019, supported the need to extend the service. 

The report recommended commissioning an interim service while planning continued for a permanent solution. 

The clinical lead, lead nurse and transport sub-group of the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Network, have worked tirelessly to establish this interim 24-hour service which will run for six months. 

The night time service will not replicate the current day provision but will ensure babies that are born sick or prematurely and need an emergency transfer have access to the experienced and dedicated neonatal transport service, 24 hours a day.

The service will be monitored in line with the National Transport Group performance indicators, and health board DATIX processes, with the Network reporting back through to provider health boards, WHSSC and Network Board. 

During the interim period, further planning will continue to establish a permanent solution for the 24-hour service. 

This work is led by WHSSC, who formed a task and finish group in July 2020, consisting of representation from the three provider health boards, referral health boards, WAST, WHSSC, the transport sub-group and the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Network.