Local MP demands action to tackle premature baby death
Thursday, July 17 2008
Dr Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point is backing national charity Action Medical Research as it steps up its campaign for urgent government action to tackle premature birth.
Twenty five UK babies die each week due to complications arising from premature birth, yet little is known about why early labour happens; or how to prevent it. Bob Spink, who was a founder member of Baby Life Support Systems charity BLISS, is supporting the charity's STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign.
Bob helped launch a report `The Tiny Lives Charter - a cross-party call to tackle premature birth` at the House of Commons, Weds 16th July. People from Castle Point can also back Action Medical Research's call for a Premature Birth Inquiry by visiting the www.standupfortinylives.org It is hoped that an inquiry will lead to the development of the first national research strategy for tackling premature birth.
Bob says, "I have long campaigned to help premature babies, having had personal family experience of this problem. I continue to do all I can on this very emotive and important issue."
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.
Professor David Field, president-elect of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, said, "We are currently unable to say which factors are most important in putting mums-to-be at risk of premature birth. This is seriously hampering our ability to develop good preventative strategies.
"We need to understand more about the process of how premature birth begins and develops. Medical research can help us in this area. `Premature birth is often seen as a discreet event, yet the health impact of a child being born too soon can last a lifetime. Some mothers will go on to have more than one premature baby."
Premature birth is the single biggest cause of death among the under ones in England and Wales. Patrick Olszowski, Campaigns Manager at Action Medical Research, explained, "Sadly, around 50,000 babies a year are born too soon in the UK. Department of Health documents report a lack of understanding about how best to predict or prevent premature birth.
"We are convinced that the government must act to bridge this gap in our understanding, which is the cause of distress and suffering to so many families.
"Medical research can make a difference in understanding what causes premature birth and ultimately find treatments to prevent it. We are asking members of the public to visit our campaign website at www.standupfortinylives.org"
