What Is a Baby Tagging System - and Does Your Maternity Hospital Need One?

Patient safety is a fundamental priority for every NHS maternity service. The impact of even a single security breach can be profound, affecting families, staff, and Trust governance.

As a result, many NHS Trusts are reviewing whether a baby tagging system (also known as an infant protection system or an infant security system) should form part of their maternity ward security strategy.

This article explains what a baby tagging system is, how it works, and how to assess whether your maternity unit would benefit from one.

What Is a Baby Tagging System?

A baby tagging system is a clinical security solution designed to help prevent the unauthorised removal of newborn babies from maternity wards.

In simple terms, the system:

• Uses a small, secure electronic tag worn by the baby
• Monitors movement within defined maternity areas
• Triggers alerts if a baby approaches or passes through a monitored exit
• Notifies staff immediately so they can respond

These systems are widely used in maternity units across the NHS and internationally as part of a layered safeguarding approach.

Baby tagging systems are sometimes referred to as:

• Infant protection systems
• Newborn security systems
• Infant abduction prevention systems

How Does a Baby Tagging System Work in Practice?

While functionality varies by provider, most modern systems follow a similar process:

1. A tag is applied to the newborn shortly after birth
2. Exits and access points are monitored within the maternity ward
3. If a tagged baby approaches an exit without authorisation, the system activates a local alarm and sends alerts to relevant staff or security teams
4. Events are logged for audit, governance, and incident review

Many systems can also support mother–baby pairing, adding an extra layer of reassurance during transfers and discharge processes, however this addition is rarely implemented in UK hospitals.

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How infant protection systems work: Baby Tagging System.

Why Baby Tagging Systems Matter in NHS Maternity Units

Both stranger and family-related abduction incidents can happen at any time and NHS Trusts must plan for high-impact, low-frequency risks.

Key reasons Trusts consider baby tagging systems include:

• Safeguarding newborns and vulnerable patients
• Supporting Duty of Care obligations
• Reducing reliance on manual observation alone
• Providing reassurance to parents and families
• Strengthening Trust governance and risk management

For senior leaders, these systems are less about reacting to incidents and more about demonstrating proactive risk mitigation.

Are Baby Tagging Systems Mandatory in the NHS?

Baby tagging systems are not mandated nationally across all NHS Trusts. However, many maternity units choose to implement them to support compliance with:

• Department of Health & Social Care guidance
• CQC expectations around patient safety
• Local safeguarding policies
• Trust risk registers
• Best-practice maternity security guidance

CQC inspections often look for evidence that risks have been identified and appropriately mitigated, particularly in environments caring for vulnerable patients such as newborns.

Does Every Maternity Unit Need a Baby Tagging System?

Not every maternity unit faces the same level of risk. However, a baby tagging system is often used in maternity hospitals where:

• The maternity unit has multiple access points or exits
• The Trust manages high birth volumes (above 1,000 per annum)
• Wards are spread across larger hospital footprints
• There is high staff rotation or use of temporary staff
• Previous security incidents or near misses have occurred

A formal maternity security risk assessment can help determine whether additional controls are appropriate.

How Baby Tagging Systems Support Clinical Staff

A common concern raised by Heads of Midwifery and Ward Managers is whether technology adds burden to already stretched teams.

Well-designed baby tagging systems aim to:

• Operate passively in the background
• Reduce the need for constant exit monitoring
• Provide clear, actionable alerts
• Minimise false alarms
• Integrate with existing access control and security workflows

The goal is to support staff, not replace clinical judgement or increase workload.

Integration With Wider Hospital Security

Modern baby tagging systems increasingly form part of a wider hospital safeguarding and security ecosystem, integrating with:

• Access-controlled doors
• Security management platforms
• Audit and reporting tools
• Other patient safety systems

Some Trusts also use similar tagging technology in:

• Paediatric wards
• Mental health services
• Dementia and memory care units

This consistency can simplify training and system management across the organisation.

What Should NHS Trusts Look for in a Baby Tagging System?

When evaluating systems, NHS decision-makers typically consider:

• Reliability and uptime
• Ease of use for clinical staff
• Alert accuracy and response time
• Integration with existing infrastructure
• Reporting and audit capabilities
• Supplier support and NHS experience

Solutions such as XTAG Baby Tagging are designed specifically for healthcare environments, with a focus on reliability, clinical usability, and long-term support.

Final Thoughts: A Proportionate, Preventative Approach

A baby tagging system is not a replacement for good clinical practice, strong policies, or trained staff. Instead, it acts as an additional safety layer, helping Trusts manage risk proactively and consistently.

For maternity units balancing openness, compassion, and safety, baby tagging systems can play an important role in:

• Protecting newborns
• Supporting staff
• Reassuring families
• Strengthening governance

Whether or not a maternity unit needs one depends on its unique layout, risk profile, and operational pressures - but for many NHS Trusts, it has become an essential part of modern maternity security.