For far too long, our maternity care in Wales has been in crisis with frontline staff pushed to their limits and families not listened to. We refuse to allow the wall of silence and excuses to stay upright any longer. - Ruth, Bereaved Parent Campaigner
Join the campaign to save babies’ lives and improve care in Wales
At Sands, we are supporting a group of bereaved parents from across Wales to campaign to save babies’ lives and improve care for bereaved parents. They are calling for targets to save more babies’ lives and better care for people following pregnancy or baby loss. Above all, they are demanding accountability.
Senedd Election 2026
The next Senedd election is taking place on 07 May 2026.
The election is an important opportunity to raise the profile of our campaign and call for change.
With the number of Members of the Senedd set to increase to 96, and the opinion polls suggesting a possible change in Welsh Government, there is a lot at stake.
We have launched a pledge for Senedd candidates from all political parties to sign, asking them to commit to a future where fewer babies die, and everyone gets the care and support they deserve.
You can take part by:
If you are a Senedd candidate, or a member of staff, you can contact us at campaigns@sands.org.uk to sign the pledge.
More information on the campaign
Targets to save babies' lives
The stillbirth rate in Wales has been consistently higher than the rate for the rest of the UK.
There has been no sustained drop in the number of babies being stillborn in Wales since 2018. There has also been a lack of sustained progress in reducing the rate of babies dying shortly after birth in Wales.
Despite this, the Welsh Government have still not set any targets to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Wales. In England, there is an ambition to half the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
Over 1,000 babies in Wales may have survived if stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates had been the same as the best performing countries in Europe between 2019-2023.
Change is needed. The next Welsh Government must implement clear targets to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths. They must also prioritise making maternity care safer. We must work together to save more babies’ lives.
Care for bereaved parents after loss
There is a huge lack of care and support for people who experience pregnancy or baby loss in Wales.
Too many bereaved families are not receiving the compassionate care they deserve when their baby dies – both at the time in hospital, and in the weeks and months that follow. Every bereaved parent deserves access to high-quality bereavement and mental health care.
There are stark regional inequalities across Wales in access to these services. More rural communities often have less access to specialist support, and services are rarely tailored to the needs of the different communities across Wales.
Change is needed
We must break the silence.
Bereaved parents are calling for firm commitments from the next Welsh Government and all Welsh political parties – to set specific targets to save babies’ lives, and rollout consistent care for bereaved parents and families across all of Wales.
Other ways you can help
- Add your name to the parent petition – sign the petition and join the campaign.
- Join the campaign group – we are always looking for people to get more involved in the campaign. If you have been affected by pregnancy or baby loss, live in Wales, and want to join the group, please contact us at campaigns@sands.org.uk