The Royal College of Nursing has announced it will be supporting the launch of the National Bereavement Care Pathway.
Led by stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, the pathway is designed to improve care for parents and families who have lost a baby during pregnancy or up to 12 months after the child is born.
With support from the Department of Health, the new materials, guidance and training will be trialled at 11 sites in England, who will work with the project team to evaluate how well the NBCP can improve bereavement care.
The NHS sites, which include the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, have been chosen to be representative of geography, capacity and specialism.
The pilot will begin in October and is supported by a variety of leading organisations from the Lullaby Trust to NHS England.
Carmel Bagness, RCN Professional Lead for Midwifery and Women’s Health, said: “The loss of a baby is an absolute tragedy and it is up to health care staff to provide the best care possible for bereaved parents and families.
“This pathway could really help to improve the care they receive during this difficult time. We hope this pilot is just the first step towards better care throughout the country for parents and families suffering from this terrible loss.”