Date published: 15 November 2024 by Sophie Wichman

Rainbow Trust's Chief Executive, Zillah Bingley said:

"We welcome this report and its recommendations and support Lord Patel’s statement that “Improving outcomes for preterm babies and their families could also generate substantial cost savings within healthcare and education”.

"The report highlights the impact that preterm birth has on siblings and the wider family, financial strain families face with months spent travelling to hospitals and the need for emotional and practical support for families in their homes once discharged from hospital; emphasising that emotional and psychological support was “the area of greatest unmet need”.

"Rainbow Trust has provided vital emotional and practical support to families caring for a seriously ill child, including neonatal support for almost 40 years. And yet we still receive no central government funding whilst delivering ongoing substantial savings to the health and social care sector.

"We urge Government to engage with Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity to understand the importance of children’s social palliative care, particularly in light of the changes in National Insurance contributions for charities, which may result in us supporting fewer families."