In an open letter to MPs across the political spectrum, organisations representing doctors, midwives and allied health professionals call on parliamentarians to attend the first debate and support the Bill’s measures to strengthen support for infants, parents and carers.
Introduced by Sir Desmond Swayne MP, the Private Members' Bill would place key early years services in England on a statutory footing and require annual reporting to Parliament on the support available to families and its impact.
While welcoming the Bill's ambition to strengthen support for babies and families, signatories are encouraging MPs to consider how the legislation can help protect and strengthen the health services that families rely on during the first 1,001 days and promote better cross-government working for infant health.
The letter highlights the first 1,001 days, from conception to age two, as a crucial period that lays the foundations for lifelong health. It argues that stronger support for infants and families during this period can help prevent future health problems and reduce demand on already stretched NHS services.
The call comes as evidence shows children's health outcomes are worsening across several key measures. RCPCH's State of Child Health 2026 found that progress has stalled or gone backwards in areas including infant mortality, school readiness, mental health, vaccination uptake, obesity and tooth decay, with the greatest impact often felt in the most deprived communities. Through its Strong Foundations campaign, RCPCH is calling for action to strengthen early years health services as part of efforts to help reverse these trends.
Signatures: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Midwives, Institute of Health Visiting, Royal College of physicians, Faculty of Public Health, Association of Director of Public Health, British Association of Perinatal Medicine, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Professor Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:
Too often, infants have been overlooked in policy making. The result is worsening health outcomes, widening inequalities and growing pressure on services, with paediatricians increasingly seeing children with problems that could have been prevented or reduced through earlier support for families.
The Babies Bill is a welcome opportunity to change that by bringing greater focus and accountability to the first 1,001 days. We urge MPs to support the Bill and call on Government to take the opportunity to make a truly cross-government approach to raising the healthiest generation ever, starting from the very beginning of life.