Following the success of the SIDS and Kids Pathology Workshop in 2004 the Board of the National SIDS Council of Australia has formed a National Scientific Advisory Group to provide advice on research initiatives and gaps in policy in relation to SIDS and Kids issues.

Members of the group, who have no conflict of interest, will also be responsible for providing advice to SIDS and Kids on the projects that best fall within SIDS and Kids’ research funding protocol.

The Group currently consists of:

• Dr Susan Beal, Paediatrician and SIDS researcher, SA;
• Professor Roger Byard, Special Forensic Pathologist and Clinical Professor of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Adelaide;
• Dr Ian Cameron, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Rural Doctors Network;
• Dr Edouard d’Espaignet, Service Director, Surveillance and Performance, Hunter Population Health, NSW;
• Associate Professor Heather Jeffery, Head of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Newborn Care, NSW;
• Professor James King, Department of Perinatal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, VIC;
• Associate Professor Yee Khong, Department of Histopathology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide;
• Dr Jacqueline Scurlock, Paediatrician, Perth;and
• Associate Professor (Adjunct) Jeanine Young, Nursing Director Research, Royal Children’s Hospital and Health Service District, Queensland.

The National Scientific Advisory Group meets 4 times yearly either face to face or via teleconference.

There is a constant flow of information sharing between the members of the group and SIDS and Kids in the periods between these meetings.

From this group a Safe Sleeping Sub-Committee has been formed. This group discusses issues surrounding the Safe Sleeping campaign to ensure that the recommendations given by SIDS and Kids are based on the latest evidence.

The Safe Sleeping Sub-Committee consists of Associate Professor Heather Jeffery, Associate Professor (Adjunct) Jeanine Young, Dr Susan Beal and Dr Ian Cameron. SIDS and Kids National Executive Research and Programs are also members of this Committee.