BURT PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN ASKING; WHY DO 17 BABIES DIE EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE UK?

10.10.53am GMT Tue 10th Mar 2009

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has attended a special parliamentary reception to launch the Why 17? Campaign, which asks the question, 'Why do 17 babies die every single day in the UK?'

Stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands held the reception to raise awareness of the fact that every hour and half in the UK a baby is stillborn or dies shortly after birth. That's 17 babies every day. There are strong indications that significant numbers of these 17 deaths could be avoided and babies' lives saved.

At the event, Ms Burt was presented with Sands' new report, Saving Babies' Lives Report 2009 which, backed up by new research, highlights several problem areas that are contributing to this level of baby loss, the long-lasting impact of these deaths, and recommends changes that could save babies' lives.

Lorely said:

"I was shocked to discover that there are 6,500 stillbirth and neonatal deaths every year in the UK, and that many families in my local constituency will have experienced the tragic loss of a baby in this way. The new Saving Babies' Lives Report clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am fully committed to supporting Sands in their call for action now to make a difference so more lives can be saved in the future.'