Wales Minister advocates for parents as vital members of neonatal care teams

Wales’ Women’s Minister, Delyth Jewell, has stated that parents of infants in neonatal units must be treated as “vital to the care team” rather than mere visitors. Addressing the Senedd, Jewell noted that approximately 2,800 premature or sick babies receive neonatal care in Wales annually.

The initiative aims to drive up standards through the Bliss Baby Charter, a framework established by the charity Bliss to protect the rights of premature and sick infants. To support this, the Welsh Government has confirmed that funding for the national neonatal service improvement programme will continue through March 2027.

Jewell emphasized the emotional and practical challenges faced by families during hospital admissions, highlighting the need for clear information and meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in their child's care.