Open letter to Government calling for implementation of the Babies Bill

In preparation for the Infants, Parents, and Carers (Babies) Bill second reading taking place today, we have signed an open letter to the Government, organised by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, urging parliamentarians to support the Bill and strengthen care during the first 1,001 days of a child’s life.

In the letter, which has been signed by organisations representing doctors, midwives, allied health professionals, and public health partners, we have called for a duty on the Secretary of State to:

• regularly assess level of need for infant support services
• ensure an appropriate level of provision of infant support services (services to be set out in regulations)
• annually report to Parliament on the services provided and outcomes