Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase research into Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.

We recognise the devastating impact of sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) on affected families and communities. It is important that grieving families and friends who have lost loved ones have access to the support they need, when they need it.

Bereavement support, including for parents and families affected by SUDC, is commissioned locally, in accordance with the needs of the local population. Information on SUDC is available on the National Health Service website, which also signposts to the charity SUDC.UK. This is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids

The Department funds research into SUDC through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Recent NIHR‑funded research includes studies focused on the promotion of safer sleeping practices for families at increased risk, the identification and management of genetic and cardiac risk factors, and the improvement of support for bereaved families.

The NIHR actively encourages and funds high-quality research into SUDC, ensuring flexibility in both the funding and research type to meet the needs of patients and families.