What is the PLATFORM project about?

The PLATFORM Project: Pregnancy Loss knowledge trAnslaTion FOR iMpact

The PLATFORM Project aims to enhance the translation of pregnancy loss research into policy and practice. It focuses on all types of pregnancy and infant loss (including first trimester miscarriage, second trimester miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy, neonatal death and pregnancy after loss), and research that seeks to prevent pregnancy loss and improve health care (quality) and health and social outcomes for women, babies and their families.

What is involved?

PLATFORM aims to contribute to:

• Enhancing Irish public and policymaker awareness of pregnancy loss
• The provision of more effective services/supports within the health care system, community sector, and beyond
• Influencing policymaking and healthcare funding.

PLATFORM I brought researchers, key civil society partners and other knowledge users – including parent advocates – together to:

• Identify barriers and facilitators to knowledge translation relating to pregnancy loss
• Develop activities and outputs in an effort to address the decades-long lack of progress in implementing change at policy and practice levels.

PLATFORM II, in partnership with Féileacáin, aims to:

• Establish an Oireachtas Cross-Party Interest Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss to ensure that pregnancy and infant loss is central to government policy in Ireland.
• Identify policy gaps and priorities within Ireland relating to pregnancy and infant loss via: (i) Review of how pregnancy and infant loss features within relevant Irish policy documents and research funding allocations; (ii) Critical examination of the extent and nature of discussions around pregnancy and baby loss within the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Who is involved?

PLATFORM I was undertaken by Pregnancy Loss Research Group, led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Marita Hennessy PhD, in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation - represented by Dr Amanda Roberts (Bereavement Development Officer) and Avril Easton (Advocacy Manager).

PLATFORM II is being undertaken by Pregnancy Loss Research Group, led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Marita Hennessy PhD, in partnership with Féileacáin - represented by Mairie Cregan, Nina Doyle and Anne-Marie Farrell.

Dissemination activities

Launch photogallery

Project status

PLATFORM I - Completed: December 2021 to July 2023

PLATFORM II - Ongoing: December 2025 to November 2026

Further information

Please email: 

• Marita Hennessy PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher: maritahennessy@ucc.ie
• Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Principal Investigator: k.odonoghue@ucc.ie