Building on our portfolio of patient safety collaborations, we are further strengthening our multidisciplinary maternity and neonatal team by expanding the role of Dr Sarah Bates, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah has worked with Health Innovation West of England since 2020 as Operational Clinical Lead for the PERIPrem programme, alongside Dr Karen Luyt, Professor of Neonatal Medicine, University of Bristol, who is Strategic Clinical Lead.

PERIPrem has successfully rolled out a unique perinatal care bundle of 11 interventions that have a significant impact on brain injury and mortality rates for preterm babies to all maternity units across the South West.

While continuing to offer clinical oversight for the PERIPrem programme, which has now been adopted by NHS Wales and across the West and East Midlands, Sarah is increasing her time with us as a Perinatal Clinical Lead as part of a multidisciplinary team that now comprises:

  • Dr Karen Luyt, Neonatologist and Strategic Clinical Lead – PERIPrem
  • Ann Remmers, Maternity and Neonatal Clinical Lead – Black Maternity Matters
  • Dr Lesley Jordan, Obstetric Anaesthetist Clinical Lead – PreCiSSIon, Early Recognition and Management of Deterioration in Women and Babies
  • Dr Rachel Ion, Obstetrics Clinical Lead – Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC)
  • Charley Robinson, Midwifery Clinical Lead – ABC programme
  • Asha Dhany, Midwife and Senior Project Manager – ABC / Perinatal Culture and Leadership programmes
  • Angie Willis, Midwife and Senior Project Manager – PERIPrem / ABC programmes
  • Gill Travers, Midwife and Senior Project Manager – Perinatal Culture and Leadership programme

Dr Sarah Bates said: “Having served as the clinical lead for the PERIPrem programme since 2020, I am delighted to expand my role to provide clinical leadership across all of our perinatal work programmes. My focus remains on closing the ‘lost in translation’ gap to ensure that simple, evidence-based interventions reach every baby, every single time.

“By further strengthening our multidisciplinary team, we can continue the vital work of reducing mortality and brain injury rates while tackling the significant disparities in outcomes for our most vulnerable populations.”

Natasha Swinscoe, Chief Executive of Health Innovation West of England, added: “We are thrilled Sarah is increasing her time with the organisation. Sarah’s leadership has been instrumental in the success of PERIPrem, which has helped the South West achieve the lowest infant and neonatal mortality rates in the country.

“Bringing together such a high calibre of clinical expertise, spanning neonatology, midwifery and obstetrics, is essential to our mission of supporting the safest possible care for mothers and babies across the region.”

On Thursday 7 May 2026 a special event is being held at Taunton Cricket Ground to celebrate the ongoing impact of the PERIPrem programme.

Find out more and register to attend.

Posted on April 2, 2026

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