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Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood
24 March 2026
Lead MP
Andy MacNae
Rossendale and Darwen
Lab
Responding Minister
Sharon Hodgson
Tags
NHSMental HealthChildren & Families
Word Count: 13081
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Andy MacNae raised concerns about sudden unexpected death in childhood in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Government to lead the search for answers through a coordinated national plan that includes research, awareness raising, public information improvements, faster post-mortem processes, and bereavement support services. This would establish strategic objectives with clear timelines, milestones, and measurable outcomes. I ask the Minister to develop a national plan for Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDC), formulate it with Ministers working with officials and scientific experts as a matter of urgency; commit to regular reporting at a minimum of every two years; ensure clear, accessible information is available through NHS websites and other portals; and implement recommendations from the paediatric and perinatal pathology workforce report quickly.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the sudden unexplained death of children, which is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged one to 18. Around 120 such deaths occur each year in the UK, leaving families devastated with no answers or closure. Cases like Frankie Grogan's highlight the need for national leadership and co-ordination. The sudden and unexpected death of a child between the ages of one and 18, where no cause can be found even after investigation, is one of the leading categories of death for children aged one to four in England and Wales. Sarah Hall shared the story of a family from her constituency whose 13-month-old grandson died suddenly without any warning signs or build-up. The family endured over a year of silence followed by distressing communications, faced inconsistent information, and experienced severe mental health challenges due to the lack of clarity.
Alison Bennett
Lib Dem
Mid Sussex
Ms Alison Bennett expressed concern about the lack of support and clarity for families experiencing sudden unexplained death in childhood. She highlighted that only half of bereaved families were assigned a bereavement key worker, while many reported distressing experiences dealing with authorities post child's death. She also pointed out a shortage of 37% in paediatric and perinatal pathologists across the UK, resulting in delays for post-mortem examinations. According to SUDC UK research, one in five families had to wait six months or more for answers after their child's unexpected death.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Carla Lockhart expressed support for more practical support for families after sudden infant death syndrome, including bereavement nurses, dedicated hospital suites, and counselling services post-death. Commended Dr Julie Rankin's work with the Williamson family to create a bereavement suite in Craigavon Area hospital and highlighted ongoing research at Queen's University Belfast.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Dr. Caroline Johnson, an NHS consultant paediatrician, highlighted the importance of identifying causes of sudden unexpected death in children to prevent future deaths. She mentioned progress such as Kennedy samples and child death overview panels but expressed concerns over upcoming NHS changes potentially undermining these efforts. Dr. Johnson also raised questions about funding for genome sequencing and skin biopsies, pathologist shortages, research into infections causing unexplained deaths, and the adequacy of bereavement support services. The mergers of Integrated Care Boards are leading to service cuts and dilution of CDOPs, which may make services less efficient.
Clive Jones
Lib Dem
Wokingham
Recognised the work of organisations like SUDC UK in raising awareness about sudden unexpected death in childhood, noting that around 40 children are lost to this issue every year. Called for detailed post-mortem studies and research focusing on genomic sequencing, family history, neurology, sleep-related mechanisms, environmental factors, and situational factors.
Connor Rand
Lab
Altrincham and Sale West
Commended the debate's topic, highlighting Frankie James Grogan's tragic death and the work of Sarah in founding Friends of Frankie. Emphasised the need for a national plan to predict and prevent sudden unexplained deaths in childhood, citing that almost two children are lost every fortnight to SUDC.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Gregory Campbell congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate and agreed that more research funding could bring families hope for progress and a better understanding of SUDC.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr. Jim Shannon highlighted the impact of Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDC), a tragic and unexplained loss that leaves families with profound, unanswered grief. He noted that Northern Ireland has historically seen high infant mortality rates and expressed concern about the lack of research and support for families affected by SUDC. He raised three main asks from the Minister: more research to understand the causes of SUDC, better support for families during the complex joint agency response, and increased awareness to ensure no parent feels isolated in their grief. I will make a plea for Queen's University Belfast to engage with the government on necessary research, as it and other universities across the UK conduct important work in this field.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Expressed concern about the lack of action since 2023 on sudden unexplained death in children and urged for a plan to address it. Highlighted cases of Louis Rogers and Harry Pitts, emphasising the need for further research and awareness within NHS and society. I requested the Minister to clarify whether there will be a commitment to Government-funded research into Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood after she welcomed the privately funded research in Bristol.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Ms. Michelle Welsh underscored the devastating impact of unexplained child deaths on families, describing the system as broken and fragmented. She emphasised the need for a national plan to improve data collection, timely investigations with clear communication, bereavement support as part of core care, and training for healthcare professionals.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Robbie Moore highlighted the tragic case of Jack Midgley, a 16-month-old who died suddenly without explanation. He emphasised the ongoing resilience of Jack's parents, Cheryl and Darren, in raising awareness and funds despite their grief. Moore pointed out that Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged one to four in England and Wales, with approximately 40 cases annually. He stressed the need for a well-defined national plan to understand causes better and raise awareness.
Roz Savage
Lib Dem
South Cotswolds
Roz Savage thanked the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward an important debate on sudden unexplained death in childhood and highlighted the need for more specialist research to understand the causes and risk factors underlying SUDC, mentioning Eleanor Wroath's campaign.
Sally Jameson
Lab Co-op
Doncaster Central
Endorsed the work of SUDC UK and highlighted the need for expanded bereavement pay to allow parents more time off after a sudden death. Emphasised the importance of dedicated family liaison officers, better training in schools for teachers who can support children affected by sibling loss, and faster inquest dates.
Sarah Edwards
Lab
Tamworth
Sarah Edwards thanked her hon. Friend for raising awareness about sudden unexpected death in childhood, noting the need for a coordinated strategy to understand such tragic losses and provide closure for families.
Government Response
Sharon Hodgson
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir John. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen for securing this debate during SUDC Awareness Month. I acknowledge the courage of Frankie's family in turning their loss into a call for understanding and change. I recognise calls from Members for a national plan, which is why we are strengthening pathology services, ensuring high-quality bereavement support, and growing research on SUDC. My hon. Friend Sally Jameson asked about bereavement leave, and my hon. Friend Mr Rand raised the issue of police and paramedic training; I will raise both issues with relevant Departments. Regarding information on SUDC being taken down from the NHS website, I have already asked officials to investigate and explore opportunities for signposting. Pathology waiting times can add distress for families, but we are addressing this with a national programme to strengthen perinatal and paediatric pathology services, allocating more than £2 million-worth of additional funding. Genomic testing is available through the NHS genomic medicine service and decisions about its appropriateness are made after post-mortem examinations by specialist multidisciplinary teams. We remain open to funding high-quality research into SUDC through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, welcoming applications on any aspect of child health, including SUDC. I am encouraged to see that the University of Bristol has secured funding from SUDC UK for the Pioneer SUDC study which will help shape future research questions and contribute to deeper learning in this area. We are committed to working with partners to ensure bereaved families receive the compassion and support they deserve.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.