This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Fund more support for expectant parents who have suffered with baby loss
Fund more support for parents who have suffered the loss of a baby so they are supported throughout pregnancy and the birth of their next baby. Such support should include functional equipment to monitor the baby over the first 6 months, and should be available nationally, regardless of location.
More details
This would help parents with their mental health through what is often a very difficult time. There is a lack of consistent support services available nationwide. It shouldn’t matter about a parent’s postcode when trying to access vital bereavement support after baby loss. Providing a service nationwide would allow all parents to feel more emotionally supported with the birth of their next infant. This could be delivered through more training for community midwives.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Related activity
MPs debate the impact of baby loss, and support for those affected
On 23 September, MPs took part in a 'general' debate to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. The debate was led by Cherilyn Mackrory MP, and Health and Social Care Minister Maria Caulfield MP responded for the Government.
Watch the debate: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2aad47cc-e48a-4742-a47b-c78cfaf9d5f6?in=12:50:41
Read the transcript: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-09-23/debates/00EC198A-02EF-4117-8426-0193A3B1E6E0/BabyLossAwarenessWeek
During the debate, MPs discussed the impact that the loss of a baby can have, with several sharing their own personal experiences. They also discussed actions the Government could take to improve the support available to those affected.
What are 'general' debates?
General debates allow MPs to debate important issues, and put their concerns to Government Ministers. They do not, however, end in a vote and nor can they change the law.
New Women's Health Strategy published by the Government
On Wednesday 20 July the Government published the first ever Women's Health Strategy for England. This document sets out the results of the consultation the Government ran in 2021 on women's health, and the actions it is taking to improve the health of women and girls.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP, made a statement on the Strategy and took questions from MPs in the House of Commons, to coincide with the publication of the strategy.
The Secretary of State's statement outlined the key ambitions and elements of the Strategy. These include:
- Ensuring that women are better listened to in the NHS
- Better access to services for all women and girls
- Addressing the lack of research into women’s health conditions
- Better information and education on issues relating to women’s health
- Targeted action on specific areas such as fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, and female-specific health conditions such as endometriosis.
Actions the Government has said it will take to help achieve these goals include introducing mandatory teaching and assessment on women’s health for all graduating medical students and incoming doctors, and undertaking new research and data gathering to increase understanding of women's health issues.
You can read the Strategy in full on the UK Government website. The Strategy only covers England as government policy on health matters is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Commitments on maternity safety and pregnancy loss
The Strategy sets out ambitions to provide personalised and high-quality care to women during pregnancy. It commits to publishing a new NHS England delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services with clear priorities for improving the safety of pregnant women and their babies.
It also sets an ambition to improve the support available to women and their partners who experience pregnancy loss, including supporting them through future pregnancies, and confirms the Government will introduce a pregnancy loss certificate to enable parents in England who have experienced a pre-24 weeks pregnancy loss to record this.
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MPs debate baby loss and safe staffing in maternity care
MPs debated baby loss and safe staffing in maternity care on Tuesday 25 October in Westminster Hall. The debate was led by Jill Mortimer MP.
During this debate MPs talk about their own and other's experience of baby loss, which you might find distressing.
What is a Westminster Hall debate?
Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.
Find out more about Westminster Hall debates
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
MPs debate Baby Loss Awareness Week
MPs debated Baby Loss Awareness Week on Thursday 19 October in the House of Commons.
The debate was led by Helen Morgan MP. Maria Caulfield MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, responded on behalf of the Government.
During this debate MPs talk about experiences of baby loss, which you might find distressing.
The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
What are backbench business debates?
Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the Chamber or Westminster Hall.
MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, which hears and decides which debates to schedule.
Backbench debates can either be general debates (which do not end in a vote) or be on a substantive motion (which calls for an action and can end in a vote). This debate was a general debate.
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Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.