Babies in neonatal units are extremely vulnerable. We believe making 24-hour CCTV mandatory would strengthen safeguarding, support accountability, reassure families and staff, and ensure consistent protection across all NHS neonatal units, with strict data protection controls.

In our view recent legal cases have exposed serious safeguarding failures within neonatal units and highlighted the need for stronger oversight to protect vulnerable babies. Mandatory 24-hour CCTV could act as an additional safeguard, support early detection of harm, strengthen accountability, and help prevent future tragedies, while operating under strict privacy and data protection rules.