WIREDGOV

Maternity staff in Scotland's NHS are to receive specialist training to support bereaved parents who have suffered a stillbirth.

The Scottish Government is to fund the charity SANDS with up to £20,000 to work with health boards on improving support for mothers and fathers after their baby is stillborn. The money will be used to ensure maternity staff are given specialist education and training, so that they are better equipped to support bereaved parents.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison will announce the funding at a Parliamentary reception this evening to mark SANDS' campaign to raise awareness of the number of babies in Scotland who are stillborn or die shortly after birth.

Discussions are expected to begin shortly between the Scottish Government, SANDS and health boards to identify priorities for action.

Ms Robison said:

"Every baby lost to stillbirth represents a tragedy for their parents and family. Proper support from maternity staff at this desperately sad time can make an important difference, which is why we have asked SANDS to look at how this support can be improved.

"Our investment of £20,000 over two years will enable SANDS to share their experience with health boards, and identify where staff need education or training to improve their care for parents after a stillbirth.

"There are already many examples of good practice across Scotland, and this investment will help ensure bereaved parents everywhere can get the same high standard of help.

"I'm grateful that SANDS will share their considerable expertise and contribute to our shared goal of helping parents with one of the most heartbreaking experiences anyone can face."

Neal Long, Chief Executive of SANDS, said:

"We welcome the opportunity to work with the Scottish Government and Health Boards by sharing our expertise in the area of bereavement support to identify where improvements in this area need to be made and training given.

"However, what we really want is fewer Scottish babies dying. The stillbirth rate in particular in Scotland has not changed significantly in the past 20 years, with over 300 babies stillborn every year.

"We are very keen to work with the Scottish Government to develop a national strategy to drastically reduce the number of babies dying. All parents and their babies across Scotland deserve the highest standards of care and the best chance of life."