Dr Michael Devlin comments:

The MDU wanted to draw the Each Baby Counts project to the attention of members because it is a good example of how data can be used to understand the underlying causes of harm arising in childbirth and to share this learning for the common good. The RCOG have made reporting simple, which should help to ensure that complete and comprehensive data is obtained.

The RCOG’s initiative is likely to touch a chord with many healthcare professionals, even if they have not worked in a maternity unit since qualifying, as many will help to care and support children and their parents affected by a problem in childbirth. And, as many groups of doctors such as GPs and paediatricians may face questions from families about Each Baby Counts, we are pleased to help increase awareness of the project.

All doctors have a professional responsibility to take part in clinical governance procedures that are related to their clinical practice. Sometimes this will be at a local level, such as root cause analysis, but it is important to be familiar with national initiatives, such as NHS England’s National Reporting and Learning System, and national databases on surgical or treatment outcomes.

You might also like to sign up to the five pledges underpinning the Sign up to Safety campaign, which is one of a number of initiatives to change NHS safety culture so it is more open, honest and allows learning from patient safety incidents.The success of Each Baby Counts will ultimately depend on the extent to which every NHS organisation and healthcare professional commits to putting safety first and embraces a culture that allows collaboration and learning.