The Royal College of Midwives is backing new legislation calling for stronger support for families from conception and during the first 1,001 days.
The RCM is among a number of health organisations which has signed an open letter to MPs ahead of the Second Reading of the Babies Bill, on Friday 4 September. The letter urges MPs to support the Bill and put the needs of babies and families higher up the political agenda.
Clare Livingstone, Head of Professional Policy and Practice at the RCM, said: “For us, backing the Bill is about making sure maternity is firmly part of the picture. The first 1,001 days – throughout pregnancy right up until a child’s second birthday – can have a lasting impact on a child’s health and development. Midwives are key professionals offering holistic care and support during this time.
“Giving families the best start means making sure the right support is there when they need it, from day one. It’s a Bill we welcome, but with the provision that sufficient staffing is also necessary. Midwives are an essential part of a multidisciplinary team which must be fully staffed and resourced. We need services which can work together effectively.
“There are still questions about exactly what will be covered by the Bill, and we’ll be looking closely as it progresses. But what’s clear is that supporting babies and families needs commitment from across Government.”
What is the Bill calling for?
The Babies Bill was introduced by Sir Desmond Swayne MP – and aims to put a stronger focus on the needs of babies, parents and carers.
It calls for the needs of babies and families to be regularly assessed, with appropriate information, services and support available to meet those needs.
It would also put existing support delivered through Best Start Family Hubs and the Healthy Babies Programme on a stronger statutory footing. It will also require the Government to report to Parliament each year on the support available and crucially the difference it is making.
Importantly, the Bill isn’t about creating a new system of services. Instead it’s about giving existing support a stronger foundation in law and making it clearer who is accountable for ensuring that support is there.
What happens next?
The Babies Bill will have its Second Reading in Parliament on Friday 4 September – this is when MPs will debate its main principles and decide whether it should move to the next stage. If it gets enough support, it will move to Committee Stage where the detail will be looked at more closely and amendments can be proposed.
It will then return to the House of Commons for its Report Stage and Third Reading, which gives MPs further opportunities to scrutinise the Bill.
If it passes these stages, it will move to the House of Lords and go through a similar process. Finally, the Bill can receive Royal Assent and become law.
We’ll be following its progress and will continue to make the case for maternity services to be fully reflected if and when the Bill develops.
