Baby/ Infant Sleeping and Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Guideline
Reference Number
Version
Version 2
Name of responsible (ratifying) committee
PSQC
Date ratified
11 July 2011
Document Manager (job title)
Named Midwife for Safeguarding Children
Date issued
27/09/2011
Review date
31 May 2013
Electronic location
Corporate Clinical Guidelines
Related Procedural Documents
See section 8: references and Associated
Documentation
Key Words (to aid with searching)
Baby, Infant, sleeping position, co-sleeping,
Bedsharing, back to sleep, Fsids, SIDs, Cot Death,
Safer Babies
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CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE....................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 4
PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................... 4
SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................ 4
DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 5
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................. 5
PROCESS ................................................................................................................................... 5
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 8
REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ............................................................ 8
MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF, PROCEDURAL
DOCUMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 10
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QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
This policy must be followed in full when developing or reviewing and amending Trust procedural
documents.
For quick reference the guide below is a summary of actions required. This does not negate the need
for the document author and others involved in the process to be aware of and follow the detail of this
policy.
1. There are a number of key “Reduce the Risk” Messages. The top three are:
 Babies should sleep close to their parents bed but in their own bed in the same room
for at least the first six months
 It is NEVER safe to sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair
 Babies should be positioned on their back to sleep with feet at the foot of the cot.
2. There some babies/families who require extra support or are at high risk of SIDs. These
include:
 Premature and low birth weight
 Families where there is drug and/or alcohol use/misuse
 Young parents (teenagers)
 Families who bed or sofa share (co-sleep)
 Parents who smoke
 Higher incident in social Classes IV & V
3. All families/expectant parents and carers to be given information regarding reducing the risk
of sudden Infant Death




on at least one occasion antenatally (before 30 weeks)
following delivery, on discharge from hospital
and upon discharge from maternity care.
Primary birth visit by a members of the Children & Families (HV) team
4. All staff will record the information that has been discussed and that the appropriate leaflet
has been given
5. If any member of staff sees a parent co-sleep or not follow the advice to reduce the risk the
parent should be reminded of the risk and the incident recorded in the notes.
6. Prematurely born infants should be slept on the back - not the front or side - for one to two
weeks prior to discharge from the Neonatal unit.
7. If a hat is used initially after birth it is essential that the hat is removed as soon as possible
and a clear explanation given to the parents as to a why a hat was used but is not
recommended whilst at home unless outside or in very cold weather.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Sudden Infant Death (SID) is a tragic event that effects over 312 babies each year in UK. The
national SIDs rate currently stands at 0.48 per 1,000 live births. Ninety percent of these deaths
occur in the first six months of life and SIDs remains the most common cause of death in
infants under one year. 70% of infants who die are found in the same bed as their parent(s)
The Department of Health (DoH 2006) and the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID
2006) recommends that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot near to the parental bed
for at least the first six months of life. The multi disciplinary team at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS
Trust (PHT) is strongly supportive of this and would wish to work with colleagues across the
Health Economy to promote a single unified message on baby/ infant sleeping. It is however
recognised that at least 50% of all mothers and 70% of breastfeeding mothers bed share at
least once in the first six months of their baby’s life and consistent advice from the multi
disciplinary team is needed to reduce this and the risks posed by this practice.
Whilst bed sharing is likely to facilitate ease of breastfeeding, there are considerable risks
associated with co-sleeping that need to be discussed with parents. These risks and the
benefits of a baby sleeping in his/her own bed close to the parental bed (rather than sharing the
parental bed) must be discussed with parents so that they can make an informed choice about
their baby’s sleep location. All discussions with women and families regarding infant sleeping
must be fully documented by health care professionals. In addition to the risks posed by “bed
sharing” there are very considerable risks to sleeping or falling asleep with baby on a sofa.
Therefore all health professionals need to give the single message that the safest place for a
baby to sleep is in his/her own cot close to his/her parents bed for at least the first 6 months of
baby’s life.
Between 2004 and 2007 there were 21 Infant deaths in Portsmouth area from SIDs. This is
significantly above the national average. All the deaths related to or involved the baby’s
sleeping position (adult bed or sofa) and had the potential to be preventable if simple ‘reduce
the risk’ advice had been followed.
2. PURPOSE



To ensure that all members of staff who work with or have contact with expectant parents and
families and carers of infants know the ‘reduce the risk’ messages and give clear and
consistent advice.
To ensure all staff working with parents and/or carers are able to provide information on the
recommended place and position for babies to sleep and information on other safety issues
such as preventing exposure to cigarette smoke and over heating of babies.
To ensure all Health Professionals are able to offer evidence-based information to breast
feeding women about position/place of sleeping for their baby.
3. SCOPE
This guideline applies to all employees of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT) that come
into contact with expectant parents, young babies and their families and carers. This includes
midwives and health visitors (HV’s), neonatologists, paediatricians, neonatal nurses and
children’s nurses
‘In the event of an infection outbreak, flu pandemic or major incident, the Trust recognises
that it may not be possible to adhere to all aspects of this document. In such circumstances,
staff should take advice from their manager and all possible action must be taken to
maintain ongoing patient and staff safety’
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4. DEFINITIONS
“Bed sharing” is defined when a baby is sharing a bed with their mother to breastfeed or with
another person to receive comfort.
“Co sleeping” is defined when a mother/partner/carer is asleep in a bed or on a sofa with their
baby.
“Sudden Infant Death” (SIDs) can be defined as the sudden death of an infant, which is
unexpected by history, and in which a thorough post-mortem examination fails to demonstrate
an adequate cause of death (FSID, 2010)
5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES






To provide all parents with information on the recommended place and position for babies to
sleep and information on other safety issues such as preventing exposure to cigarette smoke
and over heating of babies.
To ensure parents are informed of the risks of caring for babies when under the influence of
alcohol and substance misuse.
To ensure all parents are fully informed of the very considerable risks of bed sharing, sofa
sharing and falling asleep on sofa’s or in armchairs with babies.
This information will be disseminated across hospital and community locations and for all
health professionals.
All health professionals will be able to offer evidence-based information to breast feeding
women about position/place of sleeping for their baby.
All discussions around baby/ infant sleeping will be accurately recorded in the appropriate
health records.
6. PROCESS















“Reduce the Risk” Messages
Babies should sleep close to their parents bed but in their own bed in the same room for at
least the first six months.
It is not recommended to co-sleep with a baby at any time but particularly if the parent/carer
has been drinking any amount of alcohol, using illicit drugs, smoking, is excessively tired or
unwell, obese, or taking medication such as analgesia or sleeping tablets that may affect the
level of consciousness.
It is NEVER safe to sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.
Babies should be positioned on their back to sleep with feet at the foot of the cot.
Babies should never be laid on their side or front unless medically indicated. [See ‘Front to
Play’ leaflet].
Blankets and sheets should be used instead of a duvet, do not allow bedding to cover babies
head.
Pillows and cot bumpers should not be used.
Use of a room thermometer is recommended.
The temperature of the baby’s room should be maintained at around 18 degrees C.
Parents should avoid over heating their babies by over dressing them.
Hats should not be used indoors.
Parents who smoke are strongly recommended to avoid exposing babies/ children to any
cigarette smoke, including addressing this risk with any visitors to the home
Advice should be given to smokers on smoking cessation from the antenatal period onwards.
Parents/carers should ensure there are no gaps in the sides of baby’s cot for the baby to
become trapped in or fall out and that the mattress used is well fitting/ appropriate for that cot.
There is some research to suggest that settling a baby with a dummy may reduce the risk but
only once breast feeding has been established and the dummy used for every sleep and has
been sterilised correctly.
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Antenatal Period

Midwives and any member of the Children & Families (Health Visiting (HV)) team will
discuss risks of bed / sofa sharing in the antenatal period, using the Safer Babies
Leaflet or the FSID’s/DOH Booklet. This will enable all parents to make an informed
choice and understand key safety messages associated with place/position of baby for
sleep.

Where English is not the first language an interpreter should be used. This will ensure
consistency of information where language barriers exist.
Discussions about reducing the risk should take place by 30 weeks gestation. It is
important that discussions about bedding happen before the family has purchased
bedding and equipment.
Midwives and HV’s will record in the Antenatal notes or the Personal Child Health
record that the appropriate leaflet has been given and its contents discussed.


Postnatal Period
Responsibilities of PHT staff when the mother and baby are inpatients:










Advise all new parents that the safest place for their baby to sleep is in a cot next to
their mother’s bed and that the baby should not share the parent’s bed to sleep.
All health professionals should offer evidence-based information to breast feeding
women about position/place of sleeping for their baby.
Ensure that all parents are aware of general consistent messages to reduce the risk of
SIDS e.g. back to sleep, feet to foot of cot, drug use, alcohol use and ‘sofa sharing’,
overheating and smoking (see “reduce the risk” messages above).
To ensure that all babies are placed on their backs to sleep whilst in hospital unless
there is a clear medical reason for using alternative sleeping position. In this instance
parents must be given clear information about why their baby is being placed in an
alternative position and what action they should take at home. This must be clearly
documented in the records including the medical reason for this decision.
If a hat is used initially after birth it is essential that the hat is removed as soon as
possible and a clear explanation given to the parents as to a why a hat was used but is
not recommended whilst in the home unless outside.
Information on the safety messages associated with infant sleeping should be reiterated
to women at transfer from hospital, including advice about ideal temperatures (around18
degrees C), appropriate amounts of clothing, and the risks associated with over heating.
All parents should be advised to seek prompt medical advice if they believe their baby
to be unwell
All parents should be given verbal information reinforced with either the Safer Babies
literature or FSID’s leaflet.
It is essential that every time information is given about safe sleeping that it is
documented in the records that the information has been given.
If any member of staff sees a parent co-sleep or are not following the advice to “reduce
the risk” the parent should be reminded of the risk and the incident recorded in the
notes.
Responsibilities of Community Midwives following discharge from hospital:


Advise all new parents that the safest place for their baby to sleep is in a cot next to their
parent’s bed and that the baby should not share the parent’s bed to sleep.
All professionals seeing babies after discharge should specifically ask how and where
parents are putting their baby to sleep. They may need to view the cot and mattress to
advise appropriately. All professionals will actively discourage front and side sleeping, bed
sharing and sofa sharing.
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





All health professionals should offer evidence-based information to breast feeding women
about position/place of sleeping for their baby.
Ensure that parents are aware of general consistent messages to reduce the risk of SIDS
e.g. back to sleep, feet to foot of cot, drug use, alcohol use and ‘sofa sharing’, overheating
and smoking (see “reduce the risk” messages above).
All parents should be advised to seek prompt medical advice if they believe their baby to
be unwell.
All parents should be given verbal information reinforced with either the Safer Babies
literature or FSID leaflet.
It is essential that every time information is given about safe sleeping that it is
documented in the records that the information has been given.
If any member of staff sees a parent co-sleep or not follow the advice to reduce the risk
the parent should be reminded of the risk and the incident recorded in the notes.
Responsibilities of Health Visitors and skill mix health professionals in Children and
Families teams at the first postnatal visit:








Advise all new parents that the safest place for their baby to sleep is in a cot next to their
parent’s bed and that the baby should not share the parent’s bed to sleep.
All health professionals should offer evidence-based information to breast feeding women
about position/place of sleeping for their baby.
All professionals seeing babies after discharge should specifically ask how and where
parents are putting their baby to sleep and may need to view the cot and mattress to
advise appropriately..All professionals will actively discourage front and side sleeping.
Ensure that parents are aware of general consistent messages to reduce the risk of SIDS
e.g. back to sleep, feet to foot of cot, drug use, alcohol use and ‘sofa sharing’, overheating
and smoking (see “reduce the risk” messages above).
All parents should be advised to seek prompt medical advice if they believe their baby to
be unwell
All parents should be given verbal information reinforced with either the Safer Babies
literature or FSID leaflet.
It is essential that every time information is given about safe sleeping that it is
documented in the records that the information has been given
If any member of staff sees a parent co-sleep or not follow the advice to reduce the risk
the parent should be reminded of the risk and the incident recorded in the notes.
Infants who are admitted to Neonatal Unit:
Premature and low birth babies are almost four times more likely to be victims of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS) than babies with a normal birth weight born at term. The risk increases
enormously if infants sleep on their front (prone) or on their side. If prematurely born babies are
put to sleep on the front they have more central apnoeas and fewer spontaneous arousals. This
may contribute to their increased risk of SIDS in the prone position.




Prematurely born infants should be slept on the back - not the front or side - for one to two
weeks prior to discharge.
Parents tend to follow the practices of the neonatal intensive care unit in terms of
positioning their baby so it is important to establish back sleeping a couple of weeks
before the baby leaves the unit so parents see the message reinforced repeatedly over
time.
For premature babies the risk of side sleeping is not that much lower than front sleeping
and should also be actively discouraged.
Being chronically oxygen dependent is not a contraindication for back sleeping but babies
may need more oxygen on their back than on their front.
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






Babies with upper airway problems may however benefit from being slept prone. If an
infant is asymptomatic (shows no symptoms), back sleeping does not increase apnoeas
related to gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Advise all new parents that the safest place for their baby to sleep is in a cot next to their
parent’s bed and that the baby should not share the parent’s bed to sleep
Ensure that parents are aware of general consistent messages to reduce the risk of SIDS
e.g. back to sleep, feet to foot of cot, drug use, alcohol use and ‘sofa sharing’, overheating
and smoking (see “reduce the risk” messages above).
If a hat is used initially after birth it is essential that the hat is removed as soon as possible
and a clear explanation given to the parents as to a why a hat was used but is not
recommended whilst in the home.
Parents should be advised to seek prompt medical advice if they believe their baby to be
unwell
All parents should be given verbal information reinforced with either the Safer Babies
literature or Fsids leaflet and the Fsids “Time to get back to sleep” leaflet.
It is essential that every time information is given about safe sleeping that it is
documented in the records that the information has been given
Responsibilities of the Community Neonatal Team









When you visit babies receiving oxygen at home please reinforce to parents that babies
should be slept on the back even though they may need more oxygen.
You will need to reassure parents that it’s still better for babies to be on their back with more
oxygen than on their front with no or less oxygen.
All professionals seeing babies after discharge should specifically ask how parents are
sleeping baby and actively discourage front and side sleeping.
Advise all new parents that the safest place for their baby to sleep is in a cot next to their
parent’s bed and that the baby should not share the parent’s bed to sleep.
Ensure that parents are aware of general consistent messages to reduce the risk of SIDS
e.g. back to sleep, feet to foot of cot, drug use, alcohol use and ‘sofa sharing’, overheating
and smoking (see “reduce the risk” messages above).
Parents should be advised to seek prompt medical advice if they believe their baby to be
unwell
All parents should be given verbal information reinforced with either the Safer Babies
literature or FSID leaflet and the FSID leaflet “Time to get back to sleep” leaflet.
It is essential that every time information is given about safe sleeping that it is documented
in the records that the information has been give
If any member of staff sees a parent co-sleep or not follow the advice to reduce the risk the
parent should be reminded of the risk and the incident recorded in the notes.
7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All wards and departments have access to SIDS leaflet and Safer babies Leaflets. Safer babies
posters will be displayed in key areas including Neonatal Unit, Maternity Unit and Children’s
Unit
This guideline is disseminated to all managers of all areas for Midwifery/ Children and Families
(Health Visiting) team/Neonatal Unit/Children’s Unit for discussion at Team Meetings.
8. REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION
Ball, H.L., E. Hooker, et al. (1999). Where will the baby sleep? Attitudes and practices of new
and experienced parents regarding co-sleeping with their newborn infants. American
Anthropologist 10 (1): 143-151
Peter S Blair, Peter Sidebotham, Carol Evason-Coombe, Margaret Edmonds, Ellen M A
Heckstall-Smith, Peter Fleming, Hazardous cosleeping environments and risk factors amenable
Policy for the Development and Management of Procedural Documents: Issue 10. 20.08.2010
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to change: case-control study of SIDS in south west England BMJ 2009; 339:b3666 doi:
10.1136/bmj.b3666 (Published 13 October 2009)
Blair, P. and H.L. Ball. (2004). The prevalence and characteristics associated with parentinfant bed-sharing in England. Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Blair PS, Fleming PJ, Smith IJ, Ward Platt M, Young J, Nadin P, Berry PJ, Golding J (1999).
Babies sleeping with parents: case-control study of factors influencing the risk of sudden infant
death syndrome CESDI SUDI Research Group. BMJ 319: 1457-62.
Bhat RY, Hannam S, Pressler R, Rafferty GF, Peacock JL, Greenough A (2006) Effect of prone
and supine position on sleep, apneas and arousal in preterm infants. Pediatrics 118: 101-107.
Carpenter R.G, Irgens L.M, Blair P.S, England P.D, Fleming P, Huber J, Jorch G, Schreuder
P. (2004). “Sudden unexplained infant death in 20 regions in Europe: case control study”. The
Lancet. Vol 363. January 17. 185-191.
Susan Conroy, Maureen N. Marks, Robin Schacht, Helen A. Davies and Paul Moran
The impact of maternal depression and personality disorder on early infant care. Social
Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2010, Volume 45, Number 3, Pages 285-292
Conroy. S , Maureen N. Marks, Robin Schacht, Helen A. Davies and Paul A. Moran. Maternal
personality disorder and babies exposure to tobacco smoke. Arch Women’s Mental Health.
2010 Oct;13(5):439-442. Epub 2010 Feb 16.
Hooker E, Ball HL, Kelly PJ (2001). Sleeping like a baby: attitudes and experiences of bed
sharing in northeast England. Med Anthropol 19: 203-222.
Inch S. (2003). Bed sharing and co-sleeping in the UK – implications for midwives. RCM
Midwives. Vol 6. No 10. October. 425-427.
Landolfo F, Saiki T, Peacock J, Hannam S, Rafferty GF, Greenough. Hering Breuer reflex, lung
volume and position in prematurely born infants Pediatr Pulmonol 2008;43(8):767-71
Leipala J, Bhat RY, Rafferty GF, Hannam, Greenough A (2003) Effect of posture on respiratory
function and drive in preterm infants prior to discharge. Pediatric Pulmonol 36 (4): 295-300.
McKenna JJ, Mosko SS, Richard CA (1997). Bed sharing promotes breastfeeding.
Paediatrics 100: 214-9.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) A-Z Recordkeeping Advice Sheet 2006
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Guidelines for Records and Recordkeeping (NMC 2005)
Oyen N, Markestad T, Skaerven R, Irgens LM, Helweg-Larsen K, Alm B, Norvenius G,
Wennergren G (1997) Combined effects of sleeping position and prenatal risk factors in sudden
infant deaths syndrome: the Nordic Epidemiological SIDS study. Pediatrics 100 (4): 613-621.
Rao H, Saiki T, Landolfo F, Hannam S, Rafferty GF, Milner AD, Greenough A. Position and
ventilatory response to added dead space in prematurely born infants Pediatr Pulmonol
2009;44:387-91
Roger T. Webb; Susanne Wicks; Christina Dalman; Andrew R. Pickles; Louis Appleby; Preben
B. Mortensen; Bengt Haglund; Kathryn M. Abel Influence of Environmental Factors in Higher
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Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Linked With Parental Mental Illness
Archive of General Psychiatry, Jan 2010; 67: 69 - 77.
Saiki T, Rao H, Landolfo F, Smith A, Hannam S, Rafferty GF, Greenough A. Sleeping position,
oxygenation and lung function in prematurely born infants studied post term Arch Dis Child
2009;94:F133-137.
MA Weber, Prof NJ Klein, JC Hartley, PE Lock, M Malone, Dr NJ Sebire Infection and sudden
unexpected death in infancy: a systematic retrospective case review The Lancet, Volume 371,
Issue 9627, Pages 1848 - 1853, 31 May 2008
www.fsid.org.uk/reduce risk - leaflet.html. (accessed 22.02.2011)
www.fsid.org.uk “reduce risk of Cot Death” an easy guide. (accessed 6.11.2010)
9. MONITORING COMPLIANCE
PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS
WITH,
AND
THE
EFFECTIVENESS
Key Performance Indicators
INDICATOR
90% of staff that
come into contact
with expectant
parents, young
babies and their
families and
carers. sampled
will be aware at
least three key
“reduce the risk
messages”
95% of maternity
records reviewed
will have
documentation
showing the cosleeping advice
has been given
on at least three
occasions
100% of infants
on the postnatal
ward will be found
to be on their
backs to sleep
without a hat on
unless there is a
clear medical
reason
documented in
the notes.
Lead
Responsible
for Audit
Evidence
Reviewed by /
Frequency
Lead
Responsible
for any
Required
Actions
Matrons
Audit ( sample
of 10 staff per
specialty)
outcome
reported to
Governance
Annually
Matrons
Matrons
Audit ( sample
of 10 set of
records)
outcome
reported to
Governance
Annually
Matrons
Matrons
Audit (random
sample of
twenty infants
inpatient on the
wards and birth
centres)
Annually
Matrons
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OF,
APPENDIX A
Checklist for the Review and Ratification of Procedural Documents and
Consultation and Proposed Implementation Plan
To be completed by the author of the document and attached when the document is submitted for ratification: a
blank template can be found on the Trust Intranet. Home page -> Policies -> Templates
CHECKLIST FOR REVIEW AND RATIFICATION
TITLE OF DOCUMENT BEING REVIEWED:
1
2
4
5
COMMENTS
Title
Is the title clear and unambiguous?
Yes
Will it enable easy searching/access/retrieval??
Yes
Is it clear whether the document is a policy, guideline, procedure,
protocol or ICP?
Yes
Introduction
Are reasons for the development of the document clearly stated?
3
YES/NO
N/A
Yes
Content
Is there a standard front cover?
Yes
Is the document in the correct format?
Yes
Is the purpose of the document clear?
Yes
Is the scope clearly stated?
Yes
Does the scope include the paragraph relating to ability to comply,
in the event of a infection outbreak, flu pandemic or any major
incident?
Yes
Are the definitions clearly explained?
Yes
Are the roles and responsibilities clearly explained?
Yes
Does it fulfill the requirements of the relevant Risk Management
Standard? (see attached compliance statement)
N/A
Is it written in clear, unambiguous language?
Yes
Evidence Base
Is the type of evidence to support the document explicitly
identified?
Yes
Are key references cited?
Yes
Are the references cited in full?
Yes
Are associated documents referenced?
Yes
Approval Route
Does the document identify which committee/group will approve it?
6
Process to Monitor Compliance and Effectiveness
Are there measurable standards or KPIs to support the monitoring
of compliance with the effectiveness of the document?
7
Review Date
Is the review date identified?
6
Yes
Dissemination and Implementation
Is a completed proposed implementation plan attached?
7
yes
N/A
Equality and Diversity
Is a completed Equality Impact Assessment attached?
Yes
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APPENDIX A
cont……
Checklist for the Review and Ratification of Procedural Documents and
Consultation and Proposed Implementation Plan
CONSULTATION AND PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Date to ratification committee
Groups /committees / individuals involved in the
development and consultation process
Draft sent to the following people for comments:
ParkerWisdom Jane - Antenatal Services
Manager; Hackett Sharon - Lead MidwifeMatron Risk-CNST; Mooney Pat - Intrapatum
Midwifery Matron; Coles Lesley - Interim
Head of Childrens Nurse;
'judith.howard@fsid.org.uk'; Dorey Alison Divisional General Manager for Women and
Children's Division; Moore Carol - Matron
NICU; Marsh Wendy - Midwife; Morton Elma Ward Manager; Abbott Claire - PA to
Divisional Management Team Women and
Children; Armour Emile - Sister; Adams
Katrina - Matron; Ager Gillian - Lead
Transport Nurse CSCNTS; West Angela Midwifery Practice Educator; Ashton Mark Consultant Neonatologist; Axten Susan Midwifery Practice Educator; Aplin Abbie - PFI
Project Manager for Womens and Childrens
Division; Goff Barbara - Named Nurse
Safeguarding Children; Birch Simon Consultant Paediatrician; Derwent Barbara Nurse Specialist Safeguarding Children;
Powell Catherine - Consultant Nurse
Safeguarding Children; Groves Charlotte Consultant Neonatologist; Dixon James Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
and Clinical Director of Obstetrics; Donovan
Elizabeth - Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician;
Escott Wendy - Midwifery Sister; Edwards Kim
- Sister; Wozniak Edward - Consultant
Paediatrician; 'Francine Franks'; Finch Kate Infant Feeding Advisor Midwife; Freeman
Amanda - Consultant Paediatrician; Gilbert
Kerry - Sister; 'Hodgkinson Sheila'; 'Hosking
Clare'; Jenkins Linda - Specialist Practitioner
Safeguarding Children; 'Jimmy Doyle';
Littlewood Karen - Named Nurse
Safeguarding Children; Davis Emma Consultant Paediatrician; Deem Karen Consultant Paediatrician; Peters Sheila Consultant Paediatrician; Pridgeon Jennie Paediatric Consultant; Scanlan Judith Paediatric Consultant; Sievers Roy Consultant Paediatrician; Walker Joanna Consultant Paediatrician; Warriner Stephen Consultant Paediatrician; Wickramasuriya
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Nalin - Consultant Paediatrician; Jones Huw Consultant Neonatologist; Scorrer Tim Consultant Neonatologist; Thwaites Richard Consultant Neonatologist; Ananin Rebecca Midwife; Bath Amanda - Community Midwife;
Dance Anne - Midwife; Hill Debbie Community Midwife; Jones Rosemary - TBC;
McMullen Jacquie - Lead Midwife MRBC;
Spiers Tina - Community Midwife Team
Leader; Watson Alison - Community Midwife
Supervisor of Midwives; Backhouse Sarah Community Midwife; Barker Jackie Community Midwife; Clarke Lindsey Midwife; Henry Janet - Midwife - Community Teamleader; Hill Debbie - Project Midwife;
Kennedy Sharon - TBC; Line Miranda Community Midwife; Luckett Jackie - Team
Leader Midwife; Manktelow Anne Community Midwife; Phillips Dawn - Team
Leader; Wan Poh Kam - TBC; Wheeler Debbie
- Midwife Team Leader; Wilson Paula Community Midwife; Angela white; Ann
Stewart; Aspinell Pamela - Named Nurse for
Safeguarding Children; Barbara Piddington;
Batty Linda - Named Nurse Child Protection;
Bernie white;
fiona.honeyman@hampshire.pnn.police.uk;
linda.dawson@hampshire.pnn.police.uk; lorna
Bird; Newham Karen - Designated Nurse
Safeguarding; Pete Warren; Sandy Denton;
Sarah Lyburn;
sarah.lond@hampshire.pnn.police.uk; Skinner
Barbara - Matron for Postnatal Services and
Public Health
Is training required to support implementation?
No
If yes, outline plan to deliver training
Outline any additional activities to support
implementation
To be discussed at team meetings
Individual Approval
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If, as the author, you are happy that the document complies with Trust policy, please sign below and send the document,
with this paper, the Equality Impact Assessment and NHSLA checklist (if required) to the chair of the committee/group
where it will be ratified. To aid distribution all documentation should be sent electronically wherever possible.
Name
Tina Scarborough
Signature
Tina Scarborough
Date
25 May 2011
Committee / Group Approval
If the committee/group is happy to ratify this document, would the chair please sign below and send the policy together with
this document, the Equality Impact Assessment, and NHSLA checklist (if required) and the relevant section of the minutes
to the Trust Policies Officer. To aid distribution all documentation should be sent electronically wherever possible.
Name
Date
Signature
If answers to any of the above questions is ‘no’, then please do not send it for ratification.
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APPENDIX B
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
To be completed by the author of the document and attached when the document is submitted for
ratification: a blank template can be found on the Trust Intranet. Home page -> Policies -> Templates
Equality Impact Screening Tool
To be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the appropriate
committee for consideration and approval.
Stage 1 - Screening and Scoping
Date of assessment
25.05.11
Department
Safeguarding Children
Name and Job title of person responsible for assessment
Tina Scarborough Named Midwife Safeguarding Children
Policy / Function
Infant Sleeping and Reduction of Sudden Infant Death Guideline
Aims and objectives of policy/function
Reduce the risks associated with Sudden Infant Death
Who is involved in the assessment?
Who should benefit from the policy/function provided?
All babies and families
The following questions should be
considered during the screening
process.
Yes/
No
Explain
What evidence is there already held on
the impact on different groups?
Complaints, surveys, reports, summarise
the main points
Yes
This Guideline is
an updated
version of an
existing
guideline. No
complaints
received. Data is
available to
demonstrate a
reduction in the
SIDs rate if the
guidance is
followed
What evidence is there to show the
policy/function is meeting people’s
requirements
yes
2
Reduction in the
number of deaths
3
Can this assessment be linked to an
existing or planned function/policy review
1
Replacing
existing guideline
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4
Assess how the policy/function meets
different needs. (e.g age, gender, race,
disability, sexual orientation,
religion/belief
yes
Does the policy/function contribute to
equality, diversity and human rights?
If yes – identify how
Yes
5
If no – could it?
No
6
Are there any obvious barriers to different
groups accessing the aims of the
policy/function? (e.g. age, gender, race,
disability, religion)
If you have identified potential
discrimination, are the exceptions valid,
legal and/or justified?
No
7
8
What could be changed to reduce
/remove the barriers
Nil
No
9
Is there any other information, which
could influence making improvements to
the policy/function? e.g. from partner
organizations
Reduces the
infant death rate
and this is
highest in the
lower income
group
This guidance is
adopted by Solent
Health Care Trust,
SUHT, HCHC
Does the policy/function affect one group less or more favourably than
another on the basis of
10

Race
no
 Ethnic origin (including gypsies
and travellers)
No

Gender
No

Religion or belief
No
 Sexual orientation including
lesbian, gay and bisexual people
 Age

Disability - learning disabilities,
physical disability, sensory
impairment and mental health
problems ,e.g dementia
NO
No
No
Does this policy/function affect individual
human rights?
If the answer to any of the above
questions is yes, a full impact assessment
is required, go on to stage 2. If no, the
EIA is completed,
Stage 2
11
Consult formally on the policy/function
procedure and any options with relevant
stakeholders (using a range of
accessible and appropriate methods and
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venues.) This could involve a survey,
focus groups or the use of consultants,
depending on the level of impact.
Publish results of assessments. Develop
actions / improvements and set as
objectives ( action plan form)
Include objectives in the service equality
action plan and report to the Equality and
13
Diversity Committee and Divisional
Review
Once the final option is chosen, the
14
outcomes must be monitored regularly
to check for unexpected adverse impacts
If the answers to any of the above questions is ‘yes’ you will need to complete a full Equality Impact
Assessment (available from the Equality and Diversity website) or amend the policy such that only an
disadvantage than can be justified is included. If you require any general advice please contact staff
in the Equality and Diversity Department on 02392 288511
12
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