Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
347. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of separate wards in hospitals to treat women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage; his further views on the fact that the loss, trauma and devastation experienced by women in these situations is compounded by not having a dedicated, separate space in which to grieve and process their loss; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47272/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that significant progress has been to implement the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death since their publication in 2016. Specialist Bereavement Teams have been established in all 19 maternity hospitals/units, each with a Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement, and the majority of maternity units also now have a specific Bereavement Room. In line with the Standards, this ensures that families who have experienced a bereavement, get high standard, compassionate care in an appropriate setting, and a setting that affords them privacy and dignity at a very difficult and distressing time. There are also quiet rooms available in most units to facilitate parents spending time with their baby. The Department has been assured that all units continue to implement the Standards, and this is closely monitored by the Bereavement Standard Implementation Steering Group which reports to the National Women & Infants Health Programme.
In relation to separate wards in hospitals to treat women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
