MP DEMANDS
ACTION TO TACKLE PREMATURE BABY DEATHS
Sharon met Paddington Bear and national charity Action Medical
Research to sign The Tiny Lives Charter and demonstrate his/her
support for a 10-year national research strategy to tackle
premature birth.
Sharon is supporting the charity’s STAND UP for Tiny Lives
Campaign, and said
“Twenty five UK babies die each week due to complications arising
from premature birth and the impact is devastating for families,
yet little is known about why early labour happens; or how to
prevent it. I would like to encourage everyone in Gateshead and
Washington to visit www.standupfortinylives.org and add their
support or personal story.”
The STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign is being backed by leading
scientists and medical researchers, the NCT (formerly known as the
National Childbirth Trust), and professional bodies, including the
Neonatal Nurse Association, British Association of Perinatal
Medicine, Neonatal Society and the European Pre-term Labour
Group.
Dr Yolande Harley, Deputy Director of Research at Action Medical
Research explains:
“Despite improved care for newborn babies there has been no
corresponding progress in reducing the rates of premature birth.
Many babies still die and those who survive are at risk of lifelong
health conditions.”
Notes to Editors:
• Action Medical Research is calling on the Department of Health
(DH) and Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
for the independent Premature Birth Inquiry.
• All babies, especially those born prematurely, can be at risk
from serious infections such as meningitis and septicaemia.
Deafness, blindness, and cerebral palsy are just some of the
problems which can affect those who survive.
• Sick newborns and premature babies may have to remain in the
special care baby unit for weeks or months due to problems with
breathing, feeding, keeping warm and fighting infection.
Action Medical Research. www.action.org.uk
• Action Medical Research is a national charity, which is
dedicated to building a healthier future for everyone. The Charity
is funding research into many serious diseases and conditions,
including premature birth, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, osteoporosis,
blindness, inflammatory bowel disease and stroke.
• Action Medical Research has helped to fund medical breakthroughs
for over 50 years, and its life-saving work benefits babies,
children and adults. The Charity's successes include helping
develop the UK polio vaccine, ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, the
hip replacement operation and discovering the link between taking
folic acid during pregnancy and preventing spina bifida.
• An Action Medical Research fundraising appeal has to date raised
more than £3m to fund 34 high-quality medical research projects
into pregnancy complications and premature birth.
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Sharon Hodgson MP
House of Commons,
London SW1A 0AA
E-mail: hodgsons@parliament.uk
Constituency Office Tel. 0191 469 7844
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