Research dissemination and outreach
National Bereavement Forum 2018
On 26 April 2018, Minister Simon Harris opened the one-year progress meeting of the Implementation Programme for the National Standards for Bereavement Care Following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death in Croke Park. The day-long Forum brought together national and international experts along with healthcare professionals representing all 19 maternity hospitals to discuss the work of the implementation programme to date.
Invited speakers included: Professor Michael Turner (UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital), Professor Richard Greene (National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork), Professor Anne Marie Brady (School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin), Dr Niamh O’Rourke (Clinical Effectiveness Unit, National Patient Safety Office, Department of Health), and Ms Juanita Guidera (Quality Improvement Division, Health Service Executive).
The National Standards, launched in August 2016, defined the care parents and families should receive following a pregnancy loss or perinatal death in Irish maternity hospitals. The National Implementation Group began its work in March 2017 within the National Women and Infants Health Programme. This Group, led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Ms Riona Cotter, is a 14-member team of professionals from different healthcare backgrounds with expertise in perinatal bereavement care.
The National Implementation Group is working in collaboration with management teams and healthcare professionals from all maternity hospitals, as well as parent support groups / bereavement charities and parent representatives to ensure that all families who experience pregnancy loss or perinatal death will receive consistent compassionate care. The Group is also responsible for examining and developing educational programmes around bereavement care as well as ensuring maternity staff are supported in their practice.