Recommendation 1: CCTV and monitoring
From Thirlwall Inquiry Final Report, published 15 September 2026.
Recommendation
All cots and incubators in all neonatal units should be fitted with baby monitors (in-cot
cameras with livestreaming video), so that parents can observe their baby remotely at
any time. The funding for this should be centrally managed and ring-fenced, to ensure
consistency and implementation across all neonatal units at speed. By 31 March 2027, NHS
England should set out a roadmap for how this will be implemented.
In brief (written by this site)
In September 2026, Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, and Sarah-Jane Marsh, NHS England Chief Operating Officer, stated that the organisation will "develop a national approach to support neonatal units to implement this", drawing on learning from places where monitors are already used (Duncan Burton; Sarah-Jane Marsh, Sep 2026). This followed an oral statement earlier that month by Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who accepted the recommendation and directed officials to urgently develop plans for cot cameras (Yvette Cooper response, Sep 2026).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
On safety and reassurance for parents, Lady Justice Thirlwall recommends the introduction of video baby monitors for neonatal units. I agree. I have asked my officials to urgently develop plans for cot cams, which can also help parents feel better connected to their babies when they are not able to be with them in person.
Delivery
NHS England says in progress (22 September 2026)
Urgently work to develop plans for all cots and incubators in all neonatal units to be fitted with baby monitors (in-cot cameras with livestreaming video), so that parents can observe their baby remotely at any time. Taking learning from places where this is already used, we will develop a national approach to support neonatal units to implement this.
From: Thirlwall Inquiry report and recommendations (letter PRN02660)
Site note: NHS England's letter to NHS trusts and integrated care boards (PRN02660), signed by Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, and Sarah-Jane Marsh, NHS England Chief Operating Officer. The letter bears no date; NHS England published it on 22 September 2026, and it calls the leadership event of 22 September "tomorrow". The passage is under the letter's heading "Recommendations", which lists the actions the Secretary of State committed to in her statement of 15 September 2026; its last sentence is NHS England's own undertaking.
Department of Health and Social Care says in progress (15 September 2026)
urgent work to develop plans for CCTV, including ‘cot cams’, in neonatal settings to improve safety and provide reassurance to parents
From: Government to act on Thirlwall patient safety recommendations
Site note: Department of Health and Social Care press release of 15 September 2026. The passage is one item in a list of measures the government says it has begun "while it considers the inquiry's recommendations in full"; the release does not number the recommendations. The recommendation is addressed to NHS England; this is the Department's account.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Department of Health and Social Care
Response, delivery statement - NHS England
Delivery statement