Campaign News
Sands 'Campaigning Voices' group launched
If you are interested in contacting your local MP or parliamentarian, and want to be kept up to date with the issues we wish to raise, then why not join our recently launched Sands Campaigning Voices group? Sands Campaigning Voices will receive email updates including information on how you can get involved in our latest campaigns, briefing papers for you pass on to your local MP or parliamentarian, plus news on parliamentary events, meetings and activities taking place in your area.
To register your interest, click here and then go to the 'Join Sands Campaigning Voices', which can be found in the list on the left hand side of the page.
Every Baby Matters Report launched at Stormont, Northern Ireland, 23 March 2010
As part of our on-going Why17? campaign we joined forces with the charities Bliss and TinyLife, who share similar concerns to our own, to launch a new briefing paper for Northern Ireland, called Every Baby Matters at a very successful launch at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 23rd March 2010. To download a pdf of the briefing paper click here »
We had an excellent turnout of MLAs, many of whom are supporting our campaign and looking to work closely with us in the future. We also had attendance from three party leaders, great support from the influential health committee and attendance from Minister Arlene Foster.
The media coverage to support this high profile launch was great with Sands, Bliss and TinyLife spokespeople interviewed throughout the day on BBC News, UTV, several major independent radio stations as well as several newspapers, including the front page of major Northern Ireland daily paper the Irish News. To view some of the coverage please follow the link »
Why17? campaign heads to Scotland - 18th November 2009.
Wednesday 18th November saw the high profile launch of our Saving Babies’ Lives Report, 2009 to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. We highlighted several problem areas in Scotland that are contributing to the deaths of babies in Scotland and called on the Scottish Government to ensure that stillbirths and neonatal deaths are recognised as a major health issue in Scotland and addressed as a matter of urgency and priority.
The reception at the Scottish Parliament was hosted by Ken Macintosh MSP, and guests including scientists, researchers, members of professional organizations, health professionals and Sands parents from across Scotland attended the reception.
As a result of the launch the Scottish government agreed to funding of £20,000 to ensure maternity staff across Scotland are given specialist education and training so that they will be better equipped to support bereaved parents. The Public Health Minister, Shona Robison also agreed to support a joint meeting with Sands and key experts in Scotland to discuss how to work to reduce the high levels of stillbirths in Scotland.
Why 17? campaign heads to Wales - June 2009
On 17th June 2009, Sands held a major event at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, to launch the Why 17? campaign in Wales and presented a petition to the Assembly which contained over 800 signatures.
This petition was subsequently considered by the Petitions Committee who wrote to the Minister for Health and Social Services to raise our concerns. Her response guaranteed that she would be taking forward a number of issues raised and instructed officials to continue to work with Sands to establish what further can be done to ensure services for mothers and babies are futher improved.
Sands has also been invited to work with the Welsh National Speciality Group in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to improve care for bereaved parents and develop greater understanding and review of stillbirths.
Sands launches major report, Saving Babies' Lives Report 2009, to Parliament - 4 March 2009.
Sands launched the Why17? campaign to Parliament on 4 March, 2009. 64 MPs attended the event, as well as over 180 Sands parents, researchers, key supporters and the media. Central to the event was the launch of Sands' Saving Babies Lives Report, 2009.
The report aims to bring together in one document the range of issues which are key to reducing stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the UK. It argues that the numbers of baby deaths is unacceptable, and that failure to recognise the problem at all levels means that little is being done to improve the situation. It highlights the devastating impact of a baby’s death on the parents, their family and friends, and why we believe that many of these deaths could be prevented.
To download a copy of the Report, please follow the link.
Sands Patron, Jo Cameron dons her running shoes for Why17?
Jo Cameron, the UK’s most memorable BBC TV Apprentice is running an amazing 17, 10 kilometre races over the next 17 months to raise vital funds for the Why17? campaign. To find out more please, follow the link .....
