Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Wednesday 15th February 2023

Antenatal classes reflect local need. All neonatal units provide resuscitation training for the parents of higher risk babies. Further support and information are provided through multiple avenues.

NHS England is committed to delivering personalised maternity care and supporting families throughout pregnancy, childbirth and infancy.

Across England, Maternity services shape the antenatal education they give to the needs and requirements of their local population. Therefore, there is no single standard antenatal education curriculum, and this enables services to reflect local need. This flexibility is important to achieve personalised maternity care for women and their families.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on antenatal care and postnatal care both set out the information midwives should give to parents regarding care for the baby and what to do in an emergency. In the Antenatal care guidance, point 1.3.11 states that throughout the pregnancy, midwives should discuss and give information on the resources and support available for expectant and new parents. This includes making them aware of free NHS Apps on baby first aid and other sources of information. These guidelines can be seen here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201/resources/antenatal-care-pdf-66143709695941.

All neonatal units in England provide resuscitation training for the parents of babies considered at higher risks of needing resuscitation, including babies born prematurely.
This training is provided by staff within neonatal units and is organised and delivered at a local level. Most neonatal units provide resuscitation training in group sessions. 1 to 1 sessions are given occasionally, depending on the individual needs of the baby or the family. These sessions often include practical simulation exercises with a newborn baby mannequin.

In the Postnatal care guidance, point 1.3.1 states that at each postnatal contact, midwives should ask parents if they have any concerns about their baby's general wellbeing, feeding or development. Guideline 1.3.10 says that midwives should also give parents information about how to recognise if the baby is unwell, and how to seek help. These guidelines can be seen here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng194/resources/postnatal-care-pdf-66142082148037,


For babies not considered at higher risks of needing resuscitation, there are a variety of infant CPR courses provided by external organisations available across England for a fee and several free resources with information on resuscitation advice available such as NHS apps.

The NHS website provides advice on how to resuscitate a child. It recommends that every parent goes on a first aid course to learn the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sequence for infants (babies under 1 year) and states that in a life-threatening emergency, to dial 999. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/how-to-resuscitate-a-child/.

Health visitors are accessible to all parents and provide a trusted source of knowledge, advice and information. They are often the first point of contact for parents who are unsure on the best course of action when their child is unwell. They provide important support to families to encourage greater confidence.

The healthcare system is set up to support families throughout pregnancy, childbirth and infancy. There are multiple sources of guidance and trusted points of contact who can enable parents to care for their babies, including in the emergency incidences where CPR may be required.

Department for Health and Social Care