Strategic Issues
Strategic Issue 1
Hartlepool’s infant mortality rate rose to 5.4 per 1,000 in 2021–23, significantly higher than the regional and national average (4.1). Both neonatal (4.0) and post-neonatal (1.5) mortality rates are higher than the North East and England. Although stillbirth rates are declining (4.3) they remain above the regional and national levels. While low birth rate is improving the trend has been inconsistent.
Deprivation is high in Hartlepool therefore the proportion of children affected by poverty, poor housing and parental mental health is high. There are high rates of maternal health risks including smoking, obesity and not breastfeeding. The data suggests worsening outcomes and potential gaps in early years and maternity services. Mortality rates in neonatal and postnatal infants indicates systemic issues in care especially for vulnerable infants.
Strategic Issue 2
There are high rates of substance misuse and alcohol use in Hartlepool which increases the risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, preterm birth and sudden infant death syndrome. The rate of stillbirth is higher in Hartlepool than the Northeast and England.
Strategic Issue 3
The current maternity services on offer in Hartlepool are for low-risk pregnancies. As identified within the data, we can see many women in Hartlepool are high risk, therefore would need to travel out of town to access the support they need. Hartlepool residents have expressed their concerns for the lack of health care services in Hartlepool since the closure of certain departments within Hartlepool hospital. There is currently a lack of maternity services in Hartlepool for high-risk pregnancies.