Concerns over city's infant mortality rate

Concerns have been raised over the above-average rate of infant mortality in Stoke-on-Trent.

According to NHS figures, the city's rate was 5.7 per 1,000 live births between 2022 and 2024, equating to about 20 deaths a year.

While this was the lowest rate in 15 years and below the West Midlands average, it remained higher than the England average of 4.2 per 1,000.

Members of the city council's adult social care, health integration and wellbeing committee were told the above-average rate was "strongly associated" with deprivation and health inequalities.

In a report to the committee, managers at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Royal Stoke University Hospital, and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board said a "strengthened system-wide response" was now in place, led by a steering group.

Councillor Joan Bell, who had a stillborn baby 40 years ago, said during Thursday's meeting: "Our infant mortality rate is something that's really concerned me over the years."

She added: "Every time I've asked this question the answer hasn't been satisfactory.

"Why are the numbers higher in Stoke-on-Trent than anywhere else? There's no logical reason for it."

NHS officials told the committee that many factors behind infant mortality happened before a mum-to-be arrived at a maternity ward.

They said these factors formed a "really complicated jigsaw" but they were confident progress was being made in analysing the data.

Members also heard the NHS workforce was being redesigned to better address health inequalities.

Director of public health Stephen Gunther said a detailed report on infant mortality would be prepared for a future meeting of the committee.

He said progress had been made in reducing infant mortality in Stoke-on-Trent, but acknowledged the rate was still "significantly higher" than the England average.

"There are a number of factors behind that," he added. "It's associated with socio-economic conditions and housing conditions, such as damp and mould, [so that] will also have an impact.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.