UK neonatal networks - how far have we gone?

Since the Department of Health published its report into Neonatal Intensive Care Services, 22 Managed Clinical Neonatal Networks have been established in England. Depending on local commissioning arrangements and support, they have been variously effective at creating a strategy for the development of neonatal services in geographical areas based on around 15,000-20,000 deliveries in each. The major constraints are funding, availability of information technology and sign-up on behalf of constituent hospitals. The continuing re-organisation of the NHS has mitigated against a sustained period of development of neonatal services. Networks have the potential to deliver significant improvements in neonatal outcomes in the UK.