Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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347. To ask 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]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I 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. 

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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348. To ask the Minister for Health the improvements planned in the area of care for women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage in maternity hospitals; if there are plans to provide separate rooms and wards for those experiencing loss; his plans to consult with women who have had to deal with stillbirth and miscarriage to include their input into appropriate compassionate care in the aftermath of the loss of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47273/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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 National Maternity Strategy recognises the importance of improving and standardising bereavement care throughout our maternity services and recommends the implementation of the 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 and cover all pregnancy loss situations from early pregnancy loss to perinatal death.

There has been significant progress to implement the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death. This includes the development of Specialist Bereavement Teams 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. 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 addition to the National Standards, a National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey is being developed by HIQA in conjunction with the Department of Health and the HSE. The survey will provide an opportunity to consult with women who have dealt with miscarriage and stillbirth. This will be the first national survey asking bereaved parents about their experiences of maternity care in Ireland. The survey will gather bereaved parents’ lived experiences of maternity care throughout the duration of their pregnancy, hospital admission, postnatal and follow-up care. The findings of this national survey will drive service improvements in maternity care, acknowledging what is working well and identifying areas where improvements are needed.

This survey is currently under development and was due to begin surveying bereaved parents later in 2021. However, in light of the difficulties posed by the cyber-attack on the HSE’s IT systems, the survey has been postponed for a period of 4 months. It is anticipated that surveying of parents will commence in February or March of 2022.