IFS Wales Vision:
“A standardised, all Wales training programme in intrapartum fetal surveillance, aiming to improve outcomes for babies and families”
Across the UK, the rate of avoidable brain injury sustained during labour shows little improvement over the years. Through the ‘IFS Wales’ programme developed and rolled out in 2023, we are aiming to reduce avoidable harm associated with fetal surveillance in labour. Litigation relating to failures in intrapartum fetal surveillance continues to represent a significant proportion of claims expenditure across the NHS and must be addressed. Between April 21 and March 2024, 24 of the 95 clinical negligence maternity cases reimbursed featured intrapartum fetal surveillance as a contributory factor, most of which identified ‘failure to escalate’ as a theme. This amounted to over £20m in reimbursement payments.
Across the UK there is no standardised approach to training in fetal monitoring, and early in 2023 a Welsh Risk Pool scoping review identified widespread.