Sands is calling on bereaved parents and other family members to nominate a health professional whose bereavement care had a big impact on their wellbeing after pregnancy or baby loss.

The Elaine Thorp Award for Bereavement Care aims to recognise the vital work done by midwives, nurses, and other health professionals to care for parents affected by pregnancy loss or the death of their baby.

How to nominate a health professional

You can nominate any health professional who was involved in your care or the care of someone you know after pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.

This is probably someone who really stayed in your mind because of the things they said and did, the extra care and attention to detail they showed, the difference this made and the longer term benefit that their care had in the weeks, months or years that followed.

The nominations are open until 9am on Monday 7 August.

Remembering Elaine Thorp

Elaine Thorp was a midwife who personified good bereavement care. 

She was a true pioneer in listening to bereaved parents and understanding their need to be offered choices to create memories and spend time with their babies if that’s what they wanted. 

"I first met Elaine Thorp in Birmingham in the late 1980s when she worked at the Women’s Hospital and I was a social worker at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  At that time we shared involvement in a patient’s care.

"As a midwife Elaine had become aware of the need for bereavement support for parents and families initially in her own hospital.  She was subsequently appointed the Hospital’s Bereavement Officer, a trail blazing role."

- Jeanne Nicholls, past Chair of Sands and bereaved mum

Find out more about Elaine Thorp's contribution to improving bereavement care.

Why bereavement care matters

Since Sands was founded in 1978, a key aim has been to work collaboratively with health professionals to improve Bereavement Care for parents affected by pregnancy or baby loss.

Health care professionals can have a positive influence on how families experience their care after pregnancy loss or the death of their baby. 

Good care can’t take away the pain of the death of a baby but can help parents through this devastating time.

Support for you

If you have been affected by pregnancy or baby loss. Sands is here to provide support for as long as you need it. Find out more about all the ways we can help.