EXPECTANT mums in East Lancashire could be offered more ultrasound scans under plans to reduce the number of stillbirths.

Although nursing chiefs at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospitals said they do not currently have the capacity for more scans, they are involved in discussions at a regional level to consider whether increasing the use of ultrasound by 50 per cent would be cost effective.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The proposals have been put forward through the national Grow programme, which aims to reduce stillbirths by recognising intrauterine growth retardation, where a baby's growth slows or ceases when it is in the uterus.

Bosses will also look to implement staff training around the clinical measurement of fetal growth, using customised growth charts and recognising risk factors.

Chief nurse Christine Pearson said in a report to board members: “At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust we do not currently have the capacity to introduce increased scanning, but the trust is involved with regional network discussions.

“Recognising the potential issues with regards to scanning, the initial focus of the improvement initiative will be to improve perinatal mortality through updating and implementing the Trust Small for Gestational Age Guidance.

“Also being explored, is a revolutionary scan training system that would allow us to implement Grow by training our clinicians to do growth scans during clinic appointments, rather than relying on the scarce resource of ultra-sonographers.

“This would however need capital investment and more work is required before progressing further.”