Research dissemination and outreach
Launch of the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death
The Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris, launched the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death on 10 August 2016 at Farmleigh House, Dublin. These standards clearly define the care parents and families can expect to receive following a pregnancy loss or perinatal death.
The standards were developed by a group of experts comprising representatives from obstetrics, midwifery, psychiatry, paediatrics, social work, chaplaincy and also the Irish Hospice Foundation. This followed a national audit of maternity unit bereavement services, a broad-reaching public consultation, consultation with practitioners and voluntary support organisations, as well as the development of the new National Maternity Strategy and the draft HIQA Maternity Standards.
The four key standards centre on bereavement care, the role of the hospital, high quality palliative care for the baby in accordance to the wishes of parents, and staff education and training.