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TEARDROP bereavement care workshop extended to Saolta Hospital Group
On 18 April 2023, PLRG members travelled to University Hospital Galway (UHG) to facilitate the roll-out of TEARDROP (Teaching, Excellent, pArent, peRinatal, Deaths-related, inteRactions, tO, Professionals) across the Saolta Hospital Group.
TEARDROP is a half-day workshop designed to address the educational needs of health professionals involved in maternity and newborn care in managing perinatal death and pregnancy loss. It was developed by members of the PLRG in 2019, piloted at Cork University Maternity Hospital and delivered to staff across the South South West Hospital Group from 2020-2022.
Members of the PLRG collaborated with colleagues in Galway to deliver the workshop to 42 members of staff from Galway University Hospital and the Saolta Group. The workshop was kindly hosted by the Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education Galway.
The TEARDROP workshop functions as small groups of learners attending six interactive learning stations that are facilitated by experienced educators and clinicians.
Composition of workshops was as follows:
| Topic / Work Station | Cork Facilitators | Galway Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Rev Dr Daniel Nuzum, Healthcare Chaplain Ms Orla O’Connell, Bereavement CMS |
Ms Criona Healy, Medical Social Worker Ms Heather Helen, Midwifery Practice Development Coordinator |
| Investigation & management of stillbirth |
Dr Deirdre Hayes Ryan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr Laura Linehan, Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
Dr Yvonne O’Brien, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Ms Helen Byrnes, CMS Bereavement & Loss |
| Fatal fetal anomalies: Termination of pregnancy & perinatal palliative care |
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Fetal Medicine Specialist, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
Dr Mark Dempsey, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Ms Maeve Tonge, Senior Medical Social Worker |
| Perinatal pathology | Dr Brendan Fitzgerald, Consultant Perinatal Pathologist | Dr Laura Aalto, Consultant Perinatal Pathologist Ms Vanessa Phelan, Senior Medical Scientist |
| Pregnancy after loss | Dr Margaret Murphy, Midwifery Lecturer, UCC |
Dr Clare Kennedy, Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ms Helen Byrnes, CMS Bereavement & Loss |
| Risk factors, audit and reporting |
Dr Sara Leitao, Research Officer, National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre Dr Änne Helps, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
Dr Patricia Healy, Midwifery Lecturer, University of Galway Ms Ciara Feely, Staff Nurse, NICU |
Professors Keelin O’Donoghue (Lead, PLRG) and John Morrison (Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at University of Galway / Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at UHG) provided an introduction to the programme. The workshop was coordinated by Ms Rióna Cotter (Assistant Director of Midwifery at CUMH and PLRG member) and Ms Helen Byrnes (Clinical Midwife Specialist (CMS) in Bereavement and Loss at UHG).
L-R: Ms Rióna Cotter, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Ms Helen Byrnes
TEARDROP is accredited for CPD by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Read more about its development and impact in our impact case study. If you would like more information about how to avail of TEARDROP workshops, or are interested in the TEARDROP from a policy or public health perspective, please contact us.