Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
449. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on recent legislation which passed in Westminster to create an optional bereavement certificate for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation; and her plans to introduce such a similar initiative here. [10428/24]
View answerThe UK government recently introduced a voluntary scheme to allow parents to record and receive a certificate to provide recognition of their baby loss.
Delivering on baby loss certificates was part of the UK government’s response to the independent Pregnancy Loss Review. The review was commissioned in 2018 and was led by 2 independent experts and looked at a range of options to improve NHS care for parents who experience a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy or a termination for medical reasons.
The recommendation in relation a certificate of baby loss is one of 73 recommendations made in the review, all of which are intended to support the UK government and the NHS in creating a forward-looking approach to improve the safety and care experience for all those who have a pre-24-week baby loss. The recommendations set out a comprehensive plan for changes in the NHS and wider UK society to minimise the trauma that pregnancy loss can bring.
Consideration of the range of issues and recommendations raised by this review in the UK are largely a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health however my officials will be happy to engage as appropriate with that Department in relation to the matter.
I hope this clarifies the matter for you.
