Abstract

The purpose of the Standards for Bereavement Care is to enhance bereavement care services for parents who experience a pregnancy loss or perinatal death. These Standards cover all pregnancy loss situations that women and parents may experience, from early pregnancy loss to perinatal death, as well as situations where there is a diagnosis of fetal anomaly that will be life-limiting or may be fatal. They are a resource for both parents and professionals. The Standards intend to promote multidisciplinary staff involvement in preparing and delivering a comprehensive range of bereavement care services that address the immediate and long-term needs of parents bereaved while under the care of the maternity services. The Standards will guide and direct bereavement care staff on how to lead, develop and improve a hospital response to parents who experience the loss of a pregnancy or a baby and will assist staff to develop care pathways that will facilitate the hospital’s response to the grief experienced by parents and their families. The Standards acknowledge the impact of perinatal loss on staff and the importance of having formal structures in place to support staff. These Standards will form an important focus in our improvement efforts into the future.