Government wants your help for its inquiry into preterm birth

The House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee has issued a call for written evidence for its inquiry into the prevention and consequences of preterm birth.

With just under 8% of live births in England born preterm each year, the Government aims to reduce the rate to 6% by 2025. It is inviting interested individuals and organisations to share their views about topics including:

• treatments and interventions that can assist in the prediction and prevention of preterm birth

• neonatal and longer-term care and support for babies born preterm

• existing clinical guidance relating to preterm birth and how this is implemented

• the ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities seen in relation to preterm birth and how these could be reduced

• priority areas for research to prevent preterm birth and improve care for mothers and babies.

The House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee was appointed in January 2024. It is chaired by Lord Patel and will report by 30 November 2024. The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

Submit your evidence online at: committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3346