Released 25 October 2022
Request:
- How many admissions for babies (both newborn and in utero transfers) have you had to decline for your level 3 neonatal intensive care unit in the following three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
- Of those babies declined, how many were due to lack of a suitable bed in each of the following three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
- Of those babies declined, what is the furthest away the patient had been referred from in each of the following three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
- Of those babies declined, what is the furthest away the patient was eventually sent in each of the following three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
- What is the furthest away the trust has accepted a referral for a baby (either newborn or in utero transfer) to its level 3 neonatal intensive care unit from in each of the following three financial years: 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22.
Distance in miles is fine.
Information disclosed:
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has operated for the period from 1 April 2021, following the merger of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note the Trust’s level 3 neonatal intensive care unit is based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
The following information is relevant to Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust for the periods 2019-20 and 2020-21, and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for the period 2021-22.
It’s important to note that distances are not necessarily because there were no local beds available, but may be due to repatriations. The distance away from the Trust may have been due to a baby being delivered out of area due to family holiday, celebrations, etc, rather than other networks not having cot availability. The data the Trust holds does not differentiate in this regard.
- Information as follows: 2019-20 = 57, 2020-21 = 21, 2021-22 = 185
- Information as follows: 2019-20 = 28, 2020-21 = ≤5*, 2021-22 = 101. *This data has been anonymised in line with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Anonymisation: Managing Data Protection Risk Code of Practice.
- Information as follows: 2019-20 = approximately 200 miles, 2020-21 = approximately 33 miles, 2021-22 = approximately 224 miles. Distances have been estimated using Google, travelling by car.
- The Trust does not hold this information therefore it is not available under the terms of the Act.
- Information as follows: 2019-20 = approximately 110 miles, 2020-21 = approximately 55 miles, 2021-22 = approximately 103 miles. Distances have been estimated using Google, travelling by car.