THE NUMBER of stillbirths in Burnley is among the highest in England and Wales, new figures have revealed.

In Burnley, nine babies are stillborn for every 1,000 births according to latest figures, the fourth highest in the two countries.

This is around double the overall UK average of between four and five stillbirths in every 1,000 births.

Blackburn with Darwen also ranks above the UK average, with seven babies stillborn for every 1,000 births.

Elsewhere in East Lancashire, the number of stillbirths is lower, with the figure five in Pendle and Rossendale and four in Hyndburn.

Data for 2016 from the Office of National Statistics wasn’t available for Ribble Valley.

The figures have emerged during Sands awareness month, which sees the charity Sands work hard to increase awareness of stillbirth and neonatal death.

Russ McLean, East Lancashire’s patients’ champion described the figures as ‘devastating’ and said high deprivation levels in East Lancashire were a factor.

He said: “It’s very sad when anyone loses a child.

“The care given at hospitals isn’t too blame but rather environmental factors and deprivation such as stress, smoking and drinking which can bring on stillbirths.”

It comes as lawyers have said parents whose babies are stillborn are taking legal action against hospitals because it can be the only way they can find out what happened to their baby.

Brett Dixon president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a not-for-profit group for injured people and bereaved families, said: “Transparency is vital for grieving parents as they try to make sense of why they didn’t get to take their newborn sons and daughters home.

“The search for answers can be tough and parents are sometimes forced down the legal route to find some sense of resolution.

“When their child’s death could and should have been avoided, they often just want someone to say sorry and to accept responsibility for what happened.”

Mark Willett, consultant obstetrician and clinical director for family care at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said it remains ‘committed’ to reducing the number of stillbirths.

He said: “We welcome the report and will undertake a review of the findings and map this against our service to determine any further learning.

“When a stillbirth happens to a woman using ELHT services, our current practice is to review the circumstances within 48 hours and, where learning is identified, commission a full investigation. The family are invited to a face-to-face meeting with their consultant, as well as being informed about and invited to participate in the investigation.

“Investigation results are shared with the family and all staff to learn from and, if appropriate, make changes care and service delivery.

“We want to assure mothers and families that the East Lancashire hospitals remains committed to reducing the number of stillbirths and that our birth centres and obstetric unit remain the best choice for local women when giving birth.”