The National Bereavement Care Pathway (“NBCP”) are seeking to improve the quality and consistency of bereavement care in NHS trusts following a stillbirth or neonatal death or other baby loss.
Please see my previous post https://stillbirthclaims.com/improving-the-quality-of-care-after-a-stillbirth-or-neonatal-death/
Whilst midwives support this initiative, they have asked for funding for training. This is a fair enough demand. The benefit of the NBCP won’t be maximised unless the health professionals running it are taught how to best offer care.
The pilot project was first introduced across 11 trusts in 2017. It has the aim of helping to ensure bereaved parents are supported in the best way possible. It also aims to end the current postcode lottery facing parents and families of stillborn babies and those who die shortly after birth (neo-natal death).
It is now intended that the project is rolled out throughout all Trusts in England.
An article in the Nursing Times states that the Royal College of Midwives said it supported the call for the pathway’s roll out, but also asked the government to help fund ongoing bereavement training and education for midwives.
Education advisor at the RCM, Gail Johnson, said: “It is clear that this pathway works, and midwives and maternity support workers also appreciate the support this gives them to provide better care for bereaved families. We support the call for this to be introduced in NHS trusts across the country.
“We would like to see the government and trusts investing in this to ensure all parents get the support they need, and to fund ongoing education and training for midwives and their colleagues,” she said.
For more information see https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/policies-and-guidance/midwives-support-call-to-roll-out-baby-bereavement-pathway/7028922.article
If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.