Innovative changes to care results in significant reduction of babies with brain injury

A pioneering collaboration between the perinatal team at Great Western Hospitals has delivered significant improvements in outcomes for newborn babies and their families, by reducing both suspected cases and the incidence of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is a type of brain injury in babies. 

The Quality Improvement project, launched several years ago, was established with a clear goal: to reduce admissions of term infants with suspected HIE while streamlining care pathways for babies requiring further assessment and treatment.

Thanks to the hard work, innovation and drive from the team, the results are significant, positively impacting on the wellbeing of many babies receiving care in Swindon. 

In 2018, the neonatal unit recorded almost 40 admissions of babies with suspected HIE. By 2025, that figure had fallen to just 10. Over the same period, the incidence of HIE decreased dramatically from 4.1 per 1,000 live births to just 1 per 1,000 live births.

The impact of this work can be seen throughout the service, with significantly fewer babies now requiring admission for cerebral function monitoring (CFM) or therapeutic cooling, a neuroprotective treatment initiated within a few hours of birth.

The achievement reflects years of dedicated multidisciplinary working between the maternity and neonatal teams. 

The work has already gained national recognition. Earlier this year, the team presented the project at the REASON 2026 National Neonatal Scientific Conference, where it received the Best Presentation Award, recognising both the quality of the improvement work and its measurable impact on patient outcomes.

This achievement is just one example of how collaborative working can lead to life-saving improvements in care, placing the organisation at the forefront of neonatal and maternity quality improvement.