Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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773. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide counselling for families that suffer a bereavement while using the maternity services in hospitals. [18993/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to the progressive development of maternity services. In 2016, Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy was published, as well as the HSE’s National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death. The standards are designed to enhance bereavement care services for parents who experience a pregnancy loss or perinatal death.

The development of Specialist Bereavement Teams in all 19 maternity hospitals/units is being led by the National Women and Infants Health Programme. I have therefore asked the HSE to reply to your query directly.