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
A group of bereaved parents have written a petition to whoever forms the next Welsh Government in 2026. 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.
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.
How you can help
- Add your name to the parent petition – sign the petition and join the campaign.
- Contact your Member of the Senedd about the campaign – ask your local representative to raise the campaign with the Welsh Government. We can provide a template letter if you drop us an email.
- Contact your local candidates ahead of the next Welsh election in May 2026 - ask them to commit to adopting targets to save babies’ lives and ensure all bereaved parents in Wales can access high quality bereavement care. We can provide a template letter if you drop us an email.
- 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