Monday 17 March 2008

For immediate use

MP STANDS UP FOR TINY LIVES CAMPAIGN

Local MP Celia Barlow is backing national charity Action Medical Research as it steps up its campaign for urgent government action to tackle premature birth.

Premature birth is the single biggest cause of death among the under ones in England and Wales. According to Action Medical Research, 50,000 babies a year are born too soon in the UK.

Celia Barlow MP said, “More research is necessary in order to understand how premature labour starts and develops. Twenty five UK babies die each week due to complications arising from premature birth, yet little is known about why early labour happens; or how to prevent it.”

The STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign is supported by leading scientists and medical researchers, the NCT (formerly known as the National Childbirth Trust), and professional bodies, including the Neonatal Nurse Association, British Association of Prenatal Medicine, Neonatal Society and the European Pre-term Labour Group.

People from Hove and Portslade can also back Action Medical Research’s call for a Premature Birth Inquiry by visiting the www.standupfortinylives.org  Ends