The British Dietetic Association, together with the BDA Neonatal Specialist Sub-Group, welcomes the publication of Baroness Amos’ review into maternity and neonatal services and its commitment to improving safety, experience and outcomes for babies, women and families.
We recognise the invaluable contribution of the families, staff and neonatal dietitians who shared their experiences with the review. Our thoughts remain with harmed and bereaved families, whose voices must continue to be central to all future improvement work.
Neonatal care today is delivered through a highly specialist multidisciplinary model. Neonatal dietitians are integral members of that team, supporting Family Integrated Care, infant feeding, breastmilk provision, nutritional optimisation and growth by delivering proactive, preventative interventions that improve both short and long term outcomes. Dietitians, alongside other allied health professionals, provide continuity for families throughout the neonatal journey, helping to build relationships and support informed decision making.
We welcome Bliss’ response to the review and its continued focus on ensuring that neonatal services and the needs of babies receiving neonatal care are fully reflected in national improvement plans. In particular, we support the recognition of the vital role played by the wider multidisciplinary team, including allied health, psychological and pharmacy professionals, in delivering safe, high-quality neonatal care.
We would advocate further recognition of the contribution of neonatal dietitians and other allied health professionals in future national work arising from the review. While maternity workforce pressures are rightly highlighted, neonatal dietetic services also face longstanding challenges, including chronic underfunding and understaffing. These pressures affect the ability of services to provide equitable, timely and specialist nutritional care for premature and sick babies across neonatal networks.
Meaningful and sustainable improvements in neonatal outcomes require the expertise and input of the entire multidisciplinary team. Future reforms must be holistic, family-centred and reflective of contemporary neonatal practice. We therefore urge policymakers, NHS leaders and national taskforces to ensure that neonatal dietitians and other allied health professionals are fully represented within future action planning and implementation groups to inform and shape service development.