DOCTORS from York and across Yorkshire are to meet this week to discuss neonatal services in the region, which are set to undergo a radical overhaul.

It will be the first meeting of the Yorkshire Neonatal Network since the publication of a Government consultation document outlining proposed changes in neonatal provision across the country.

Dr Michael Harran, consultant paediatrician at York Hospital, will be among representatives from neonatal units in the region to gather in West Yorkshire tomorrow to discuss the network's response.

Tracy Woodall, Yorkshire Neonatal Network manager, said the meeting would be followed by public consultation so residents would have a chance to help shape the future of their local neonatal services.

As reported in the Evening Press last Thursday, fears have been expressed over the future of York's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), particularly the intensive care provision, after the consultation report called for clinical networks in which hospitals with different types of neonatal units work closely together. The report, which is under consultation until July 11, did not state the number of networks or what format they would take.

Ms Woodall said there was "absolutely no way" that the York unit, which has 13 special care cots and two intensive care cots, was going to close.

But she said that some changes would be made. "The whole emphasis in providing neonatal intensive care is ensuring that the right babies receive the right care in the right unit.

"What this is about is making sure that those babies who require most intensive care get it in the major centres and the units that provide normal intensive care would have their cots increased to take on more of the very sick babies.

"It's also about increasing the skills, mixing the knowledge and competence of staff within units - and keeping Yorkshire babies within Yorkshire."

The Government report is available at www.doh.gov.uk./nsf/neonatal.htm

Updated: 08:58 Tuesday, April 29, 2003