Bliss (charity)
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| Formation | 1979 |
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| Legal status | Registered charity no. 1002973 |
| Purpose | Bliss exists to ensure that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life. |
| Headquarters | London |
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Region served
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England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands |
| Website | http://www.bliss.org.uk |
Bliss exists to ensure that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life. Bliss supports families, work with health professionals, and campaign for improved hospital resources across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Its Chief Executive is Caroline Davey.
Bliss was started in 1979 when a letter was sent to the Daily Telegraph in response to a story on neonatal intensive care units. Allan Chilvers suggested setting up a society to raise funds for life-saving equipment like incubators for premature babies and BLISS (Baby Life Support Systems) was born. In five years £750,000 was raised and equipment had been given to 82 hospitals.
The 1990s saw the introduction of artificial pulmonary surfactants and antenatal steroids which reduced infant mortality and meant more premature babies began to survive. During this decade, Bliss was chosen as the charity for the Blue Peter appeal twice, raising £2.7million and helping to raise awareness about underfunding in neonatal intensive care units
In 2000 Bliss ran a campaign to show that neonatal intensive care units in the UK were relying on the charity for equipment, rather than the NHS. The story made the front page of the Daily Express and £6.5million was then announced for neonatal intensive care. From then, Bliss decided to spend less money on equipment and started funding medical training and research.
Bliss’ work today helps special care babies through campaigning, research and family support services. They provide support for families through their helpline, parent forum, and support groups and volunteers. They also provide publications to parents and neonatal intensive care units on subjects like understanding equipment in neonatal units, kangaroo care, and weaning.
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