Sands is introducing a National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP) in Northern Ireland to improve care for people who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
The NBCP in Northern Ireland has been made possible by funding from Public Health Agency and aims to reduce inequalities and improve the quality of bereavement care provided to parents and families.
We know that good quality bereavement care is vital for parents who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, or whose baby has died.
The project will make sure that parents are communicated with sensitively, have opportunities to make memories with their baby, and are supported with dignity and respect. Healthcare professionals will be supported with materials, resources, and training so that they can provide the best possible care at this vital time.
The NBCP has also been rolled out across England and Scotland, and is being initiated in Wales.
“We are delighted in partnership with Sands to announce the appointment of the NBCP Project Manager for Northern Ireland, Melissa Crockett.
“Melissa will work closely with the PHA’s clinical lead for this area and together they will manage the development, delivery and review of the NBCP and embed its nine standards across Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland to help improve standards of bereavement care.
“The NBCP currently operates within England and Scotland and the PHA recognised a gap in the provision of the Pathway within Northern Ireland.
“Ultimately we hope this will ensure there is quality and consistency of bereavement care received by parents who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss across each of the five local Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.”
Heather Reid, Interim Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at the PHA
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Melissa Crockett into her role of NBCP Project Manager for Northern Ireland, funded by the PHA.
“This is a very positive development for the provision of bereavement care for parents and families in Northern Ireland. When the pathway is fully established and implemented, it will provide vital support and advice to our health professionals working in this important area of health care.
“I look forward to hearing about the progress of the NBC Pathway and its integration across the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland.”
Mike Nesbitt MLA, Minister of Health
“Everyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby deserves high quality bereavement care and support. We know that no level of care can remove the grief that many parents will feel after pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, but good care can make this devastating experience feel more manageable. We also know that poor quality or insensitively delivered care can compound and exacerbate pain.
"This launch follows a huge amount of hard work together with our partner organisations. We are looking forward to working with bereaved parents, families and healthcare professionals to ensure the pathway is based on evidence and experience. We hope that through introducing a tailored National Bereavement Care Pathway in Northern Ireland, we can make sure everyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss gets the care that they need.”
Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands
If you or someone close to you experienced pregnancy loss, we are here for you. Our Bereavement Support Services for parents include our helpline, online community, Sands Groups and the Bereavement Support Book.