Reform of family services means thousands of mothers and babies will be able to access 24/7 support for breastfeeding.

Sandwell and Birmingham NHS Trust has purchased neonatal equipment from Central Medical Supplies for the new neonatal intensive care unit at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick, which opened at the end of last year.

In June, 80 families came together with Paralympian Gemma Collis to take part in the Incubator Push event. The aim was raise the funds needed to buy an incubator, as part of a campaign by the Ickle Pickles Children’s Charity.

The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP have launched a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services to provide truth to families suffering harm and to urgently improve care and safety.

Brave employees from Fletchers Solicitors took on an unforgettable challenge on Saturday 7 June, diving with sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port to raise vital funds for Lia’s Wings, which provides air transport for babies and critically ill children.

Janine Dougan, retired Midwife and Health Visitor in Northern Ireland, has won the Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care from Sands. The award aims to recognise the vital work done by midwives, nurses and other health professionals to care for parents affected by pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.

A raft of improvements to the neonatal unit have enabled it to start caring for some of the area’s most premature babies once again. The unit has been fully approved to return to level 2 status having increased medical and nursing recruitment and boosted training and leadership.

At a first-of-its-kind summit on maternity and neonatal safety, delegates will hear from Megan Bidder of NHS Resolution about the financial costs of safety failings in maternity and neonatal care, and from Dr Bill Kirkup, author of independent investigations into maternity services, who will set out how crises occur, particularly around culture and multidisciplinary working.

Argyro Syngelaki has received a Royal College of Midwives Fellowship for her work to improve care for women and their families. She thanked the thousands of women who have taken part in research programmes at King’s College Hospital.

North Central London Integrated Care Board and NHS England has decided that four maternity units will deliver care, while births will eventually not take place at the Royal Free Hospital. The four hospitals will provide at least level two care for premature and unwell babies, ensuring more specialist support.

The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital has received further acknowledgement from UNICEF for its work and ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for families and babies on the unit.

This month, Leicester Hospitals Charity is celebrating a decade of partnership with Leicester City Football Club. Members of the football team visited the NICU to meet staff and patients and learn about the charity’s fundraising initiatives.