Premature babies 'more likely to survive' in big hospitals

Premature babies born in larger hospitals are more likely to survive than those born in smaller ones, according to a new study.

Children born before 33 weeks of pregnancy are 30% less likely to die if they are born in units treating large numbers of premature babies, researchers said.

When it comes to extremely premature babies - those born before 27 weeks - the figure rises to 50%.

Researchers from the University of Warwick, University College London, the University of Westminster and Imperial College London said that health bosses should consider the findings when developing services for newborns in the future.