Hucknall MP says families should not have to wait for crisis as Babies Bill advances
Hucknall MP Michelle Welsh (Lab) has drawn on her Nottinghamshire roots and national maternity role to call for trusted, joined-up support before families reach crisis.
Ms Welsh, the national maternity adviser to the Government, has welcomed the progress of the Babies Bill, formally known as the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, after speaking during its Second Reading in the House of Commons on September 4.
Drawing on her frontline work with children and families across Nottinghamshire and Derby, Ms Welsh argued that where someone is born should not determine their health, education or opportunities.
She said: “We should not wait for a crisis, early intervention works.”
Ms Welsh added that trusted relationships can make a profound difference to families.
She described how, in Nottinghamshire, people understand the power of sitting down over a cup of tea because it creates time for someone to listen, care and help.
She said parents experience pregnancy, birth and early childhood as one continuous journey, while public services can divide maternity, health visiting and early-years support between different organisations and budgets.
She called for greater continuity, joined-up services and clear national standards.
Ms Welsh also placed safer maternity care at the heart of her speech, highlighting inequalities in outcomes and the importance of better data, listening to staff and families, and ensuring concerns can be raised openly.
If enacted, the Bill would require the Secretary of State to specify covered services in regulations, assess expected need, seek and take account of the views of parents and carers, exercise specified functions with a view to ensuring an appropriate level of provision and report annually to Parliament.
The Bill received support from Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent MPs.
It passed its Second Reading without a division and has now been committed to a Public Bill Committee.
It is not yet law, and the services covered would be determined through regulations.
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation is an independent charity which has provided evidence and information in support of the Babies Bill.
Sir Desmond Swayne MP, sponsor of the Bill, said: "This practical Bill would strengthen existing services by requiring the Government to understand need, work towards appropriate provision and report to Parliament.
"I am grateful to colleagues across the House for helping it reach this important milestone.”