Yesterday Dr Julian Eason and I were proud to join the National Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital’s future planning meeting led by the Director of the Hospital, Professor Nguyen Duy Anh. Vice Director, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha gave an excellent presentation of the worldwide evidence for optimising outcomes for preterm and term babies by giving antenatal steroids to mothers at risk of an early birth and the benefits for the protection of the babies’ brain and future health. The review also looked at the benefits of giving magnesium sulphate, there is strong evidence this reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in our vulnerable newborn community. So proud of National OBGY leading the way to optimise outcomes for all babies with these two measures.
As the meeting drew to a close it was inspiring to hear the doctors who are participating in our UK Neonatal Post Qualification training, planning their Quality Improvement Projects (QI) one on the benefits of Antenatal Steroids and the other Magnesium Sulphate. These projects are a mandatory element of their final exam and the QI initiatives recommendations will also further improve maternal and newborn care.