BLISS BABY REPORT 2008

That this House welcomes the release of the Bliss Baby Report 2008; recognises the hard work put in by staff in neonatal units across the country; praises the campaigning efforts undertaken by Bliss to raise awareness of neonatal healthcare issues; is deeply concerned by the desperate shortage, highlighted in the report of specialist nurses in neonatal care units; further recognises the stress and anxiety that staff shortages and lack of adequate treatment capacity in this area creates for staff and parents alike; is worried by the high transfer rates of sick and premature babies to other units due to lack of capacity; calls on the Government to push not for minimum standards, but for the best possible standards in neonatal care throughout the NHS; and in particular calls on the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure that the minimum nursing levels recommended by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine are adhered to.