Parents who have experienced the devastation of losing a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can apply for a certificate to have their grief recognised from today.
The government is launching a voluntary scheme to allow parents to record and receive a certificate to provide recognition of their loss.
James Daly MP said:
Losing a baby can be devastating for parents. Acknowledging the loss of life before 24 weeks is a great step forward in supporting parents going through this difficult time
Thank you to the charities and campaigners who have worked tirelessly to get their stories heard, you have done tremendous work which has made these certificates possible
The £25 million investment to women’s hubs is greatly welcomed and will offer much needed help and support to women and girls across the country.
This government is committed to ensuring bereaved parents feel supported through their grief and recognise their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard. These certificates will not be compulsory – it remains the choice of all parents to manage the difficult time of a loss, however they see fit.
Delivering on baby loss certificates was part of the government's response to the independent Pregnancy Loss Review. The review was commissioned in 2018 to consider the registration and certification of pregnancy loss occurring before 24 weeks gestation and on the quality of care.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins said:
Losing a baby can be hugely traumatic event and the introduction of certificates to formally acknowledge the loss of life is a positive step towards better supporting women and parents affected.
I'd like to thank charities and campaigners for their continuous work bringing awareness to baby loss and making the certificate launching possible.
Improving women's health care and maternity support is a priority, and this demonstrates progress in delivering our Women's Health Strategy and ensuring parents feel supported during this heart-breaking experience.
The review concluded that while it currently may not be possible to prevent many pre-24-week pregnancy losses from occurring, much more can be done to ensure each grieving parent receives excellent care and compassionate support.
Improvement to maternity care and birth trauma support were announced as a priority area within the women's health strategy for England in 2024 - a vital plan to improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
To ensure all women get the support they need, the government is investing £25 million in women's health hubs. Women's health hubs provide integrated services for women in the community, enabling easier access to essential services for menstrual health, contraception, pelvic pain, menopause care and more.
Minister Women's Health Strategy Maria Caulfield said:
We have listened to parents who have gone through what can be an unbelievably painful experience of losing a baby, and that is why we are introducing baby loss certificates to recognise their loss, as part of our wider long-term plan for women's health in our country, the Women's Health Strategy.
I would like to thank the tireless work of campaigners and charities for their work in supporting this agenda and making the certificates a reality.
The certificate is available for either parent to access following a loss under 24 weeks since 1 September 2018. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have been living in England at the time of the loss. The certificate is an official but not legal document. The government will look to expand eligibility for certificates pre-dating September 2018 as soon as we can.
