Allister supports Every Baby Matters
01 April 2010
TUV LEADER JIM ALLISTER SUPPORTS NORTHERN IRELAND LAUNCH OF CHARITY CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REDUCE BABY DEATHS AND IMPROVE CARE FOR SICK AND PREMATURE BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES
Jim Allister has attended a special Northern Ireland Assembly reception to launch a new report, Every Baby Matters, compiled by three leading baby charities – Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Bliss, the special care baby charity and TinyLife, the premature baby charity for Northern Ireland.
At the event, politicians were presented with a copy of the report, Every Baby Matters, which highlights the problems affecting Northern Ireland’s maternity and neonatal services. These problems may be contributing to the deaths of over 200 babies who are stillborn or die shortly after birth every year in Northern Ireland and a further 2,000, that’s one in ten of all babies born in Northern Ireland, who are admitted to a special care baby unit.
At the reception, held at Stormont on Tuesday 23 March 2010, the three charities called on the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that stillbirths and neonatal deaths are recognised as a major public health issue, to improve the care for premature and sick babies and to support the delivery of front line services to families.
Jim Allister pictured at Wednesday’s event with North Antrim mother, Joy Angus, pledged his support in calling for immediate action to reduce deaths and improve care and front line services for all babies and their families.
Mr Allister said: “It was shocking to discover that over 200 babies die every year in Northern Ireland, with 1 in 10 babies requiring specialist care. Many local families have experienced the tragedy of the loss of a baby or have had very sick and premature babies needing specialist care. Every Baby Matters clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am happy to support Sands, Bliss and TinyLife in their call for action to make a difference and to ensure baby’s lives can be saved in the future and those most vulnerable babies receive the highest levels of care at all times.’
To find out more about Every Baby Matters, please visit www.bliss.org.uk or www.sands-uk.org.uk
