NHS Expands Brain Injury Prevention Programme – What This Means for Families

What is the new Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth programme?

The ABC programme’s national rollout aims to reduce avoidable brain injuries during and shortly after birth. It follows a pilot programme across 12 maternity units, which was launched in October 2024 and showed crucial improvements in maternity and neonatal care.

The programme focuses on better monitoring, early intervention and improved team communication across service, enabling multidisciplinary teams to collaborate more effectively and drive better outcomes.

Why is the ABC programme needed?

In 2021, 2,490 babies required care for brain injuries sustained during or just after birth across maternity units in England. This equates to almost 7 babies every day, all of whom could potentially be affected by long-term disabilities as a result.

Crucially, many of these cases could have been avoided with timely and appropriate care.

By rolling the ABC programme out nationally, the NHS hopes to reduce what the government has described as “unacceptable inequalities in maternity outcomes across England.”

The Goal: Eliminate preventable cases of cerebral palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy – the name given to a group of lifelong conditions affecting muscle movement and coordination – is caused by an underdevelopment in a child’s brain during pregnancy, or complications during or just after birth.

While not all cases of cerebral palsy are preventable, many cases are linked to inadequate maternity care, both midwifery and obstetric led. One of the core goals of the ABC programme is to reduce harm by preventing avoidable cases of cerebral palsy caused by injury in childbirth.

If successful, this could mean fewer families facing the lifelong consequences of maternity medical negligence – and it is crucial the programme delivers.

What about families already affected by avoidable brain injuries in childbirth?

While news of the ABC programmes’ national rollout is certainly welcome, it doesn’t change the reality for those already living with the effects of birth injuries.

Many families across England, and the rest of the UK, have been left with unanswered questions and the impact of complex care needs for their child, many of whom will experience lifelong complications as a result of negligent care.

Seeking legal advice from a specialist maternity negligence solicitor can be an important step to uncovering the truth and securing vital compensation to help support future care needs. Our team is here to ensure that you do not have to go it alone; whatever your circumstances, our legal experts can work with you to secure the support and compensation you and your family deserve.

If you’re struggling with the consequences of maternity negligence, speak to our team today on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.

A message from Slater and Gordon to families affected by avoidable brain injuries in childbirth

The Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) programme is a positive step forward for maternity care across England and could have a significant impact in preventing lifelong complications and complex care needs for many.

But for those affected by past errors, support is still needed. If your child suffered a brain injury during or shortly after birth, and you suspect it could have been avoided, you may have legal grounds to investigate.

Our specialist maternity negligence team provides compassionate, clinically informed legal support to help families secure the answers, justice and care they deserve.

If you’d like to discuss your experience confidentially, please get in touch on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online to arrange a call back.