One of the key ways in which we aim to influence politicians and policymakers is to publish our annual review of neonatal services, the Baby Report. Our latest report was titled Three decades and counting and was published in November 2009.

Another key activity is our campaigning network Action for Bliss, which helps and supports campaigners to talk to politicians and policymakers. Right now, our campaigners are actively encouraging people to get involved in the Bliss one to one nursing campaign. In the past, this network has taken part in successful e-campaigns, and focus groups with the Health Minister, Ann Keen MP, former Health Minister, Ivan Lewis MP and Children's Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green.

The major issue that we campaign on is neonatal nursing standards. There is a chronic shortage of neonatal nurses across the UK which means that in neonatal intensive care, babies are not receiving the minimum standard of one nurse to one baby which they need and deserve.

This shortage sometimes can have effects on other parts of neonatal care. Transfers between units of babies are an everyday necessity, but sometimes babies need to be transferred and a staffed cot isn't available in the nearest unit, meaning that the baby may have to be transferred a considerable distance.

When a baby is born prematurely, it may have an effect on their educational life too. Bliss has been talking to politicians about babies who are born early and what options are available for them when they come to starting school.Having a premature or sick baby is a stressful time for mums and dads, even more so when they both have work pressures as well. Bliss is currently doing some research on extending maternity and paternity leave for parents of sick and premature babies so that they do not lose out on time with their baby at home.