The UK government has announced the rollout of a new NHS programme designed to provide safer maternity care and prevent brain injuries during childbirth.

The Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) programme is set to begin in September and follows a development phase and pilot scheme.

It aims to equip maternity staff with enhanced skills to identify signs of distress in babies during labour, enabling them to act swiftly.

Additionally, it will improve the response to obstetric emergencies, such as the situation where the head of the baby becomes lodged in the mother’s pelvis at the time of a caesarean birth.

This national initiative is part of the government's broader Plan for Change, which seeks to reform the NHS and ensure that all women can access safe and tailored care.

The ABC programme is expected to play a crucial role in lessening the number of avoidable brain injuries during childbirth, which can lead to lifelong conditions like cerebral palsy.

Furthermore, the programme addresses a critical need for improved multidisciplinary collaboration in maternity care, aiming to reduce disparities in maternity outcomes across England.

The government has expressed a commitment to enhancing maternity services, including training additional midwives and setting specific targets to address the maternal mortality gap affecting Black and Asian women.

In support of these efforts, the government has allocated an additional £57m ($75.3m) to Start for Life services.

This investment will provide expectant and new mothers with expert advice and guidance throughout pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This vital programme will give staff across the country the right tools and training to deliver better care to women and their babies, reducing the devastating impact of avoidable brain injury.”

Last month, the government unveiled the expansion of the Advice and Guidance scheme.

This initiative is part of a strategic shift to transform patient care by moving the focus from hospital to community settings.