NEONATAL CARE

That this House notes the great strides made forward in neonatal care, with more babies than ever before surviving; further notes that one in eight babies born in the United Kingdom will require neonatal care; welcomes the Department of Health's establishment of regional neonatal networks since 2003; praises the important work of neonatal charity BLISS; is concerned that BLISS estimates that the present nursing shortfall in neonatal care to be approximately 2,700 against nursing standards recommended by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine; understands that a comprehensive service review of maternity care will be undertaken in 2007; and urges the Department of Health to work closely with primary care trusts and other stakeholders to ensure that the progress made in neonatal care can be built upon.