# Sands And Tommys Joint Policy Unit > Achieving Policy Change To Save More Babies Lives During Pregnancy ## Posts - [Joint Policy Unit responds to Baroness Amos’s interim report into maternity and neonatal services](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/joint-policy-unit-responds-to-baroness-amoss-interim-report-into-maternity-and-neonatal-services/): The interim report, published by the Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in England, highlights systemic issues facing services. While this systemic focus is welcome, the final report must be solution-focused, including defining what ‘safe care’ looks like and how this can be delivered. - [Sands and Tommy's appoint Georgia Stevenson as Head of our Joint Policy Unit.](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/when-to-contact-maternity-services-sands-and-tommys-joint-policy-unit-finds-too-much-variation-in-advice-2/): We're pleased to announce that Georgia Stevenson has been appointed as Head of the Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit. - [Featured Chart: Can we reduce rates of preterm birth?](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/featured-chart-can-we-reduce-rates-of-preterm-birth/): Our second featured chart takes a closer look at the insights on our data hub around preterm births. - [Guide for Trust board members](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/guide-for-trust-board-members/): We have developed a guide to provide board members with an overview of different maternity and neonatal data sources available to them to support them in their scrutiny role. - [Not just an option: Interpreting as an essential component of safe maternity and neonatal care](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/interpreting-essential-component-of-safe-maternity-neonatal-care/): In this insight report, carried out by Sands and Tommy's Maternity Consortium, we examine the systemic issues impacting access to language interpreting provision within maternity and neonatal care. - [Featured Chart: What’s happening with midwife numbers in England?](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/featured-chart-whats-happening-with-midwife-numbers-in-england/): The first featured chart in this series looks at what is happening with midwife numbers in England. - [Learning from the past: Findings from our call for evidence on improving the safety of maternity and neonatal services](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/learning-from-the-past-findings-from-our-call-for-evidence-on-improving-the-safety-of-maternity-and-neonatal-services/): After identifying key recurring themes from previous reports, we asked people working in maternity and neonatal services in the UK, and families who have experienced them, to share what they think needs to change to make progress. - [Clarity is needed to support improvements in the safety of maternity and neonatal services](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/clarity-is-needed-to-support-improvements-in-the-safety-of-maternity-and-neonatal-services/) - [Saving babies' lives 2025](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/saving-babies-lives-2025/): This is the third Saving Babies’ Lives Progress report published by the Joint Policy Unit. The report summarises the latest data and outlines 10 key actions for policymakers. - [A call for change - A new national approach is needed to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/a-call-for-change-a-new-national-approach-is-needed-to-improve-the-safety-of-maternity-and-neonatal-services/) - [Is reproductive health and childbirth research over-funded? How pregnancy loss is ignored by disability-adjusted life years](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/is-reproductive-health-and-childbirth-research-over-funded-how-pregnancy-loss-is-ignored-by-disability-adjusted-life-years/): In response to the claim that reproductive health and childbirth research receives a higher proportion of research funding than the corresponding burden of disease, we explore the limitations of metrics which compare health conditions and how they ignore the impact of pregnancy loss. - [Investment in maternity and neonatal services in Wales](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/investment-in-maternity-and-neonatal-services-in-wales/): Investment in maternity and neonatal services has not kept up with the rate of inflation over recent years, and spending in this area has remained a relatively small proportion of overall spending on healthcare in Wales. More investment is needed to reduce rates of stillbirth and neonatal death, tackle inequalities and support improvements in the safety and quality of services. - [Interpreting and translation services in maternity and neonatal care](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/2557-2/): Reports and reviews have highlighted issues with the use and quality of interpreting and translation services in maternity and neonatal care, contributing to poor outcomes and avoidable harm. We have collated and synthesised these issues, with a focus on interpreting services, and have put forward considerations for policymakers. - [Joint Policy Unit response to the 10 year health plan consultation](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/2341-2/): The Joint Policy Unit has responded to the Change NHS consultation, which will inform a new 10 year plan for the NHS in England. - [Towards the best: Future maternity safety ambitions to save more babies' lives](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/towards-the-best-future-maternity-safety-ambitions-to-save-more-babies-lives/): The National Maternity Safety Ambitions - which aim to halve the 2010 rates of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths and brain injuries and reduce the rate of preterm births from 8% to 6% - expire in 2025. We have considered what appropriate ambitions for reducing perinatal mortality and preterm birth could look like. - [Counting miscarriages in the UK](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/counting-miscarriages-in-the-uk/): Unlike stillbirths and neonatal deaths, the number of miscarriages which occur each year in the UK are not measured or reported. This briefing note outlines what data are currently available in each nation, what improvement work is underway and what further action is required. - [Insight report: Understanding lived experience of suicidality during the perinatal period](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/understanding-suicidality-during-the-perinatal-period/): Tommy's and Sands Maternity Consortium led a project to engage with women and birthing people who have self-harmed, had suicidal thoughts and/or attempted suicide during the perinatal period. The aim of this work is to understand these experiences to identify how support in the perinatal period can be improved and the risk of self-harm and suicide reduced. - [What do you think needs to change to deliver safer maternity and neonatal services?](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/what-do-you-think-needs-to-change-to-deliver-safer-maternity-and-neonatal-services/): We are undertaking work to identify what is needed to make progress on key themes from previous reports and reviews into the safety of maternity and neonatal services. - [Learning from past reviews and reports](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/learning-from-past-reviews-and-reports/): The Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit reviewed 30 reports into maternity and neonatal services across the UK. For each of these reports we identified recommendations relevant to saving babies’ lives and tackling inequalities, and then grouped these into key themes. - [Information and advice given on contacting maternity triage in early labour](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/information-and-advice-given-on-contacting-maternity-triage-in-early-labour/): We have undertaken analysis of information found on NHS Trust websites under their guidance for contacting maternity triage in early labour to assess consistency in advice. - [When to contact maternity services? Sands and Tommy's Joint Policy Unit finds too much variation in advice.](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/when-to-contact-maternity-services-sands-and-tommys-joint-policy-unit-finds-too-much-variation-in-advice/): Research by the Sands and Tommy's Joint Policy Unit has found concerning levels of variation across the advice for women and birthing people given by NHS trusts in England on contacting maternity triage in early labour – highlighting the need for consistent guidance around contacting triage, as well as clear information about the care people are entitled to. - [The new government must commit to transformative change to save more babies’ lives](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/the-new-government-must-commit-to-transformative-change-to-save-more-babies-lives/): The single word title of the Labour manifesto was ‘change’. There are few areas where transformative change is more needed than in maternity and neonatal services. - [Investment in maternity and neonatal services](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/investment-in-maternity-and-neonatal-services/): We assessed commitments from the Government to increase funding for maternity and neonatal services in England, highlighting how these remain significantly below the level needed to support transformative improvements in these services. - [Saving babies’ lives 2024](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/saving-babies-lives-2024/): This is the second Saving Babies’ Lives Progress report published by the Joint Policy Unit. The report summarises the latest data and shares updates on the work that we have delivered over the past year. - [Priorities for next Government](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/1878-2/): Ahead of the 2024 general election, joint with Sands and Tommy’s, we set out what we believe the next government must do to deliver safer maternity and neonatal services, so that fewer babies die and inequalities in loss are eliminated. - [Working with young parents: A guide for health professionals](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/working-with-young-parents-a-guide-for-health-professionals/) - [Supporting marginalised communities: Engaging with refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant women and birthing people](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/supporting-the-implementation-of-equity-and-equality-plans/) - [Supporting marginalised communities: Working with VCSEs & MNVPs to implement LMNS equity and equality plans](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/supporting-the-implementation-of-equity-and-equality-plans-2-4/) - [Supporting marginalised communities: Engaging with faith groups and local communities](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/supporting-the-implementation-of-equity-and-equality-plans-2-3/) - [Supporting marginalised communities: Engaging with autistic women and birthing people](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/supporting-the-implementation-of-equity-and-equality-plans-2-2/) - [Supporting marginalised communities: Digital inclusion](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/supporting-the-implementation-of-equity-and-equality-plans-2/) - [Report: Better board oversight needed to save babies’ lives](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/report-better-board-oversight-needed-to-save-babies-lives/): The safety and quality of maternity and neonatal services are the responsibility of the board in each NHS Trust. However, board oversight has been highlighted as an issue in successive inquiries and reviews. - [Understanding women’s lived experience of children’s social care proceedings](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/understanding-womens-lived-experience-of-childrens-social-care-proceedings/) - [Saving babies’ lives 2023](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/saving-babies-lives-2023/): Our inaugural progress report brought together data from different public sources for the first time to show the extent of pregnancy and baby deaths across the UK, and explore the systemic issues facing the health system that need to be addressed to make progress. - [Inequity in neonatal care](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/inequity-in-neonatal-care/) - [Sharing learnings from the Starting Well fund](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/sharing-learnings-from-the-starting-well-fund/): This playlist features a series of webinars sharing insights, learning, and impact from the Starting Well Fund, a government-backed initiative supporting innovative projects to improve maternal and infant health across England. - [Perinatal mental health event: Working in partnership with the VCSE sector & MVPs](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Birmingham & Solihull MMHS workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-4-3/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Birth Companions workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-4-2/) - [Perinatal mental health event: The Lantern Initiative & CPSL Mind workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-3-2/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Leeds Perinatal Service workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-2-3/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Plenary](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-2-2/) - [Perinatal mental health event: How belonging improves wellbeing](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-5/) - [Perinatal mental health event: LGBT Mummies workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-4/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Friends, Families and Travellers workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-3/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Mummy's Day Out workshop](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2-2/) - [Perinatal mental health event: Maternity Consortium & NHS England presentation](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/delivering-inclusive-and-accessible-specialist-perinatal-maternal-mental-health-services-2-2/) - [Barriers to Accessing Maternity Care: Communications and Information](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/barriers-to-accessing-maternity-care-communications-and-information/) - [Barriers to accessing maternity care: Understanding me](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/3124-2/) - [Barriers to accessing maternity care: Mental health](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/barriers-to-accessing-maternity-care/): In 2021-22, the Maternity Consortium undertook a project to understand the experiences of women and birthing people in accessing maternity services and any barriers they may have faces in receiving the care they need.  ## Pages - [Maternity Consortium Resources](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/maternity-consortium-resources/) - [Privacy & Cookie policy](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/privacyandcookiepolicy/) - [Consultation responses](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/consultation-responses/) - [Data Hub](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/data-hub/): Data hub Home Overall progress Inequalities Health system Reviews of deaths Neonatal care Research Interactive data maps Ethnicity Deprivation England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Constituency Map Overall progress Graphs showing recent trends of stillbirth, neonatal death and preterm birth rates across the UK. Inequalities Graphs showing inequalities in outcomes across ethnic groups and area-level deprivation in the UK. Ethnicity Deprivation Health system Graphs showing data from devolved health systems, including funding, staffing and patient experience. England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Neonatal care Graphs showing whether babies admitted to neonatal units receive high quality care, in-line with professionally agreed guidelines and […] - [Sitemap](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/sitemap/) - [Accessibility](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/accessibility/) - [About us](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/about/) - [News & opinion](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/news-opinion/): News & opinion - [Reports & briefings](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/reports/) - [Home](https://jointpolicyunit.org.uk/) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)