AN MP is calling for action to ensure the best possible care for premature babies.

Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, stressed his concern after attending a parliamentary event to launch a report by the special care baby charity Bliss.

The report - Hanging in the Balance - claims there is a severe shortage of neonatal nurses and doctors, meaning units are not meeting national standards on safe staffing levels for premature and sick babies.

In its damning findings the charity describes a service which is being stretched to breaking point and says 2,140 more nurses are needed in order to meet national standards. It is also calling for improved access to trained mental health workers, and an increase in the number of units providing overnight accommodation for parents of critically ill babies.

Bliss is calling for urgent action from the government, the NHS and health education bodies to address the problems and ensure neonatal units have the resources they need to meet national standards for quality and safety.

Mr Andrew said: "These findings are very concerning and highlight that more must be done to ensure that the estimated 130 vulnerable babies born premature or sick every year to parents in Pudsey have the best possible chance in life."

Caroline Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss, said: "I would like to thank Stuart Andrew MP for attending the launch of our Bliss baby report, and showing support for our issues. The government set out a comprehensive vision for neonatal care in 2009, with the publication of the Toolkit for high quality neonatal services. Six years on and we are falling further behind on critical measures of quality and safety, and the shortfall in funding means units are simply unable to meet these standards.

"This must be a wake-up call for policy-makers and healthcare commissioners to take action. This situation needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, so that every baby has the best possible chance of survival and of having a full and healthy life."