New manifesto launched by pregnancy and baby charity partnership

Tommy’s is a proud member of the Pregnancy & Babies Charities Network (PBCN), which works to make pregnancy and birth safer in the UK. The group have launched their new manifesto, outlining how we hope to achieve our goals to reduce inequalities for new and expectant parents and their babies.  

The PBCN is working to: 

1. Make the UK the safest place in the world in which to have a baby, regardless of ethnicity, income, or circumstances.
2. Give all sick and premature babies the best chance of survival and quality of life.
3. Provide every family with the bereavement care they need after pregnancy or baby loss.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that there is still much work to do reduce inequalities in access to maternity care and that some families still have a better chance of taking home a happy, healthy baby than others. This often depends on where they live, and even on who they are. We think this is unacceptable and are committed to changing this.

The PBCN’s revised manifesto outlines the work the network does, holding decision-makers to account and encouraging positive change for all families, regardless of ethnicity, income, or circumstance. Together, we work to make sure maternity improvement remains a priority for government and the NHS. 

Jane Brewin, Tommy’s CEO, said:

“We are committed to working with our charity partners to improve maternity care in the UK, to support families throughout their pregnancy journey. The biggest issue we must tackle is reducing the inequalities in care and pregnancy outcomes which vary unacceptably across the country. 

“No matter who you are or where you live, everyone should have a safe pregnancy and birth, and be given the best possible chance of taking home a healthy baby. We are calling on both government and the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and NI to redouble their efforts to make the UK the safest place in the world to have a baby.”

As a member of the PBCN, we are hopeful that the focus and actions highlighted in the updated manifesto can make a difference and move us closer towards the Government’s National Ambition to halve stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths and brain injuries by 2025. We also want to maintain pressure on decision-makers to ensure other areas of avoidable and preventable pregnancy loss are given attention and that the best possible maternity care is available for all.

Whilst we want you to be aware of this very important work, please consider that this document may be a difficult read.