The Importance of Abduction Prevention in Maternity Care

Introduction

Implementing a robust Infant Security Policy is critical for NHS Trusts to ensure the safety and security of new-borns within healthcare facilities. A policy that encompasses the use of a baby tagging system alongside clear staff duties, responsibilities, and protocols for managing suspected abductions creates the foundation of a strong safeguarding strategy for the security and protection of new-borns.  

The personnel typically responsible for developing and implementing the infant security policy include the Trust’s leadership teams in safeguarding, security, midwifery and health and safety departments. While each individual Trust and hospital incorporates different strategies and procedures, this section provides an overview of the key components that NHS Trusts should incorporate into their infant security policies.

What makes an effective abduction prevention strategy?

An effective abduction prevention strategy should include:

• A comprehensive infant security policy
• Frequent abduction drills
• Daily use of an electronic baby tagging security system

What is an abduction prevention policy?

An abduction prevention policy is a principle of actions adopted by hospital maternity services in the United Kingdom, highlighting the procedures a hospital must take following a suspected abduction from a clinical area. The purpose of the policy is to reduce the risk of an abduction, and in the unfortunate event of a successful abduction, ensure measures are in place to recover the new-born safely and promptly.

Safeguarding, risk and security policies all relate to the abduction prevention policy and often identifies key personnel within the hospital who are responsible for the safeguarding of new-borns.

What are abduction drills?

An abduction drill is a practice of the emergency procedures carried out by the midwifery and security team in the unfortunate event of an abduction. As shift patterns between staff change, all employees related to maternity care must be aware of the actions that are needed to ensure a new-born is recovered safely and promptly.

Therefore, frequent abduction drills are recommended so that all existing and new staff members are familiar with the procedures and their individual responsibilities if the event occurs when they are on shift.

Measures taken to prevent abductions arising at the first instance also form part of staff training, such as, if using a baby tagging security system, it is important staff are reminded that access control systems must be used correctly in order to provide the greatest protection against an abduction attempt.

Why do hospitals use a baby tagging system?

Electronic baby tagging security systems use the highest level of patient protection technology and offer the greatest protection against an abduction.

Midwives secure a small baby tag around a new-born’s ankle, and once secured, the tag transmits it's location and security status every second, providing real time intelligence on the new-born’s safety throughout the day. In the event of an abduction attempt, the system sounds a ward-wide alarm, alerts the security team and disables local exit doors so that an abductor cannot leave the premises.

They are recommended by external regulators such as the Care Quality Commission(CQC) and hospitals that use the systems are preferred by the families of new-borns as they contribute to a safer place of birth.