More financial help for parents of premature babies in Scotland

Parents of premature babies across Scotland are to get extra financial help when their babies are being cared for in hospital.

A new £1.5m family fund is being launched by the Scottish Government to help with the additional costs like travel to the hospital and food and drink.

Visiting the neonatal unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee today, Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“Becoming a parent should be the best feeling in the world, but if a baby is born prematurely and needs neonatal care it’s an anxious time.

“We also know that it can be expensive, so we have looked at the support available to parents.

“All Health Boards already offer accommodation when it is most needed and we are working with Boards to ensure that there is sufficient, free accommodation for all parents when required.

“This new national Family Fund of at least £1.5 million will be available to parents regardless of income to ease money worries at a very difficult time.”

Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss Scotland, said:

“We warmly welcome this announcement of much-needed financial support for families across Scotland with a baby in neonatal care.

“This fund will help more parents to be with their baby for as much time as possible and to play a hands-on role in their babies’ care, which we know is best for babies and families.

“Bliss Scotland looks forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government in 2018 to ensure the fund works in the best way for families, as well as on the delivery of the other neonatal recommendations in Best Start."