Scottish Government 'would consider' national framework for baby loss bereavement care
Following our coverage of Baby Loss Awareness Week, the Women's Health Minister says she would 'absolutely' consider introducing a national framework to improve care for families.
Last updated 14th Oct 2022
The Women's Health Minister says she is "absolutely" committed to considering a national framework for bereavement care, for families who have lost a baby.
Maree Todd is speaking to Northsound 1, after our coverage of Baby Loss Awareness Week revealed discrepancies in the availability and quality of care across the country.
She said: "We are well aware of the profound impact that baby loss, at any stage of pregnancy, has on a woman and their family, and we are very keen to ensure that they get the help and support and high quality information that they need to help them during that time and beyond.
"We have a range of work going on across the board, to improve bereavement care, and ensure that services are sensitive, but we recognise that for many women, the services are not sensitive enough at the moment.
"We do know that there are different practices in different places, and one of the things we're trying to do is look at exactly what is happening around the country, and you're absolutely right in saying there are almost always variations when we look at an area of practice.
"So we're looking at what we need to improve, and were we need to improve it, and if we need to produce a national framework that would help support that standardisation of practice, absolutely we will consider it."
The First Minister also says she is fully committed to improving mental health aftercare for parents.
We have heard this week about the impact of little or no follow-up counselling.
Nicola Sturgeon has previously spoken about her own experience of a miscarriage, and said: "I know the feelings you have about recognising the loss you have had, and the need, not just in the immediate aftermath, but often for some time afterwards, when you least expect it, for emotional support.
"I'm very committed to improving services for people who have experienced baby loss, and forgive me, as this isn't about me, but I suppose what I would say to reassure people is that I really do understand the emotional impact, because my husband and I have gone through it ourselves."
READ MORE: Calls for better mental health care after loss of a baby
Pregnancy loss certificates
Last week, the First Minister confirmed she is considering plans to formally recognise pregnancies lost before 24 weeks.
Currently, birth certificates are only provided after that period.
It follows a campaign by East Kilbride mum Heather Denham, who lost her daughter Jorgia at 20 weeks.
She said: "Let's acknowledge all the babies who are no longer here.
"Let's give those families a lifeline, because that's something I desperately needed.
"I've got a birth certificate for my son, but I've got two children."
Speaking in Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon said: "I absolutely understand the feelings and sentiments that have been narrated here today.
"I know from personal experience how awful it is to lose a baby very early on, and I know how deep the desire is to have that lost baby recognised in a variety of ways.
"I think that the suggestion around pregnancy loss certificates is an important one and I give the undertaking that we will look very seriously at that in Scotland too."
Read more about Heather's story here.
Push for paid miscarriage leave
A bill is also currently making its way through Westminster, which would ensure a statutory right to three days' paid leave for parents who have experienced a miscarriage.
It has been introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley.
She told us: "A lot of parents don't disclose their pregnancy before 12 weeks, so sometimes they won't have even had that discussion with their employer before they have suffered a loss.
"There are really great examples of more and more employers introducing pregnancy loss policies, but without statutory provision, it's still piecemeal.
"The SNP has committed to introducing paid miscarriage leave within the public sector, but ultimately employment law is still reserved to Westminster, so this is calling on the UK government to ensure all parents who experience pregnancy loss are entitled to a minimum of three days' paid leave."
Read more
Specialist training offered to just half of healthcare staff looking after bereaved families
'It was soul-destroying' - bereaved parents facing postcode lottery during baby loss