Ms Mabuse gave a heartfelt speech in which she shared her experience of spending two months with her baby on a neonatal unit when she gave birth ten weeks prematurely in 2023.
Speaking of her support for Bliss’ work, she said: “Nothing could have prepared me and my husband for the experience of having our baby daughter born ten weeks early and then being whisked away to neonatal care. For us as parents it was so hard for the eight weeks she was in hospital – she was so tiny and so sick, and everything was overwhelming and really scary. We didn’t get to hold our daughter for almost a week, and the whole experience is completely different to what you are expecting.
“That’s why I was so pleased to share our story with MPs in Westminster alongside the neonatal charity Bliss. Bliss is doing an incredible job of supporting parents of sick and premature babies in neonatal care, but it is also important that decision-makers at the heart of government hear first-hand from parents, like me, about what this experience is like, and why it’s so important that there is more focus on improving care for babies and their families.”
Longstanding Bliss ambassador Lady Sarra Hoy closed the speeches at the event by sharing her ongoing support for Bliss. She said: “I am a passionate supporter of Bliss and the incredible work they do to ensure that babies born needing neonatal care have the best chance of survival and a good quality of life.”
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, who hosted the event said: "It’s been an honour to host this event with Bliss, bringing together parents, healthcare professionals and fellow Members. Every baby deserves the best possible start in life – and we know that listening to and supporting parents is key to making that happen. I’m proud to stand with Bliss in pushing for neonatal services that support every family, regardless of their background and circumstances."
Bliss Chief Executive Caroline Lee-Davey set out Bliss’ priorities for the next Parliament, which are: increasing neonatal staffing numbers, addressing inequalities to ensure every baby in neonatal care receives equitable care, investing in accommodation for parents of sick babies so they can stay by their baby’s cot side, and introducing measures to help families overcome financial barriers while their baby is in neonatal care.
“We are thrilled to have heard Oti Mabuse speak so passionately about her own neonatal experience. We know how powerful it is for parliamentarians to hear directly from parents about what neonatal care is really like, and why it’s so important to prioritise support for our most vulnerable babies.
“We are grateful to the many MPs who have pledged to support our work in Parliament on behalf of the many constituents who will have sadly faced the hugely challenging experience of having a baby admitted to neonatal care.”
The event was also an opportunity to celebrate the imminent introduction of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act, coming into effect from 6 April 2025, for which Bliss led the campaigning.
Caroline Lee-Davey explained: “This is a great opportunity to thank parliamentarians and supporters for their help in bringing in the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay Act). This new entitlement will make a huge difference for neonatal babies and their families, giving tens of thousands of parents each year additional leave for the time their baby is in neonatal care, so that babies can have both parents at their cotside”.
