Bliss’s sixth annual baby report, The Chance of a Lifetime? reveals there is a shortage of more than 1,000 nurses to care for the 70,000 babies in need of specialist hospital care each year in England.
It says neonatal units are working way above their recommended occupancy level putting babies’ lives at risk and adds that families are being put under immense financial and emotional pressure.
Andy Cole, Bliss chief executive, said: "Yet again, we are reporting on services being stretched to the limit and vulnerable babies not receiving the care they need and deserve. The vital care a tiny baby receives in the first few hours, days and weeks of life is crucial to their chance for a bright future. We now want to see the coalition government set out their commitment and take action to transform these essential services."
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