A report into the care of newborn babies has highlighted Epsom and St Helier hospitals as giving some of the best care in the country.

The report, published by the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE), shows that the death rate of newborns delivered at the hospitals was significantly less than the national average.

It also showed that the number of stillbirths that occurred at the Trust is below average.

Dr Rim El-Rifai is the Clinical Director for Women and Children’s Services at the Trust and a consultant neonatologist, said: “Every day on our labour and neonatal wards, the delicate lives of newborn babies are put into our hands.

“We have a duty to make sure that they, and their parents, get the very best of care from us and we work hard to make sure that happens.

“Sadly, although a lot lower than years gone by, babies do die and this is a very upsetting and traumatic time for the families involved, as well as for our own staff.”

To read the report in full, or to find out more about the CMACE, visit cmace.org.uk.