Thread by @SandsInsights

The #BLAW2022 Debate is happening right now in Westminster!

You can watch live here👇
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2b…

And follow this thread of highlights from the morning...🧵

Thank you to Jill Mortimer MP for leading the debate. Starting proceedings with incredibly moving testimonies of her experience, including how #ContinuityofCarer made a difference to her.

Jill highlights the statistic from @SandsUK that bereavement specialists have on average just two hours of working time to dedicate to each baby's death.

This is simply not enough time. Ensuring midwives have resources, time & adequate bereavement care training is critical.

"Neonatal staffing is facing a time-bomb"

Urgent asks from Jill Mortimer MP to improve neonatal services to ensure babies get the best care possible.

Jill wraps up her contributions with three asks to the Minister to improve safety & safe lives:

🔵Make steps to achieve the national ambition to halve rates of baby death by 2025
🔵 Commit to increasing investment in maternity services workforce
🔵 Mandating the #NBCPathway

.@HelenMorganMP seeks reassurance from the Minister that maternity services will remain a Government priority, with a commitment to increase funding to address staffing shortfall and introduce a workforce plan

.@GuyOpperman making his first Westminster Hall speech in 8 years. Thank you for sharing your family's story & for contributing to this important debate.

Guy highlights the importance of driving forward consistency in standards on how deaths are recorded and cared for.

"No baby or mother should experience an increase in risk based on where they live and receive care"

Well said @JamieHWStone, thank you for your contributions.

.@timloughton calls for an update on the progress of stillbirth provisions in the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc.) Bill

Thank you @AngelaCrawley30 for highlighting how workplace bereavement care is critical to looking after employees, and even more critical when supporting healthcare professionals

A reminder that @SandsUK can support employers with this 👇
training.sands.org.uk

Thank you @bhatti_saqib for sharing how important bereavement suites are at his local hospital.

We know these make a huge difference to bereaved parents and their care, which is why they are one of the nine #NBCPathway standards.

.@_OliviaBlake highlighting the 'exodus of midwives' reported by the @MidwivesRCM. It is important that a package of care is provided so that they feel supported in their roles. They are calling for change and it is critical that we are with them on this.

Contributions from @_OliviaBlake also highlight the importance of accurately recording miscarriages. Imperative when considering recommendations from #EastKent and @tommys important work in @TheLancet

tommys.org/about-us/news-…

"All we are asking for the minister today is to address the pay and working conditions of midwives"

@BellRibeiroAddy highlighting the important work of @fivexmore. Black women remain 4x more likely to die and black babies 2x. More must be done.
fivexmore.com/blackmereport

Thank you to @JimShannonMP for his longstanding support of this important debate. His contributions are always important & moving.

"Better financial and emotional support is needed for all our healthcare professionals"

.@RichardBurgon sharing a moving story of one of his constituents.

"My son deserved better than a memory box & scans & photos. He deserved to live. How many more government inquiries will it take for people to stand and say we see you, we stand with you"

Thank you @RichardBurgon for sharing the voices of bereaved parents, and for highlighting the care that @SandsUK provides.

A reminder that we are always here, for anyone that needs us 💙🧡
sands.org.uk/support-you/ho…

"Systematic failures, negligence and incompetence killed my baby & almost killed me"

Moving contributions from @PGibsonSNP about her personal experience of loss and highlighting issues with pre-eclampsia care. We are incredibly thankful for her longstanding commitment and work.

.@PGibsonSNP concludes "Governments across the UK must do more to do better"

We have had countless reports, reviews & investigations. It is important that there is a moment for change so that this cycle does not continue.

Responses starting from the Shadow Minister
@FeryalClark.

Feryal discusses the trauma of having to explain miscarriages/stillbirths when pregnant after loss. It is important that care is informed & compassionate to avoid additional distress.

.@FeryalClark sharing information from @SandsInsights recent report into bereavement care.

"Stressed, burnout, overworked - there is now a shortage of 2000 midwives in England. Almost 1 in 10 Trusts have no bereavement specialist".

The Minister (@drcarolinej) now responds.

Caroline states the commitment to preventing families from experiencing the same pain in the future. There is a renewed commitment to the national ambition to halve baby deaths by 2025.

.@drcarolinej shares that more support will be provided in the upcoming Pregnancy Loss Review.

We look forward to the swift publication of this long-awaited review and will work with the Government to implement the findings.

In responding to the Minister, Jill Mortimer makes a case for firmer commitment and asks:

"I don't think anyone in this room wants to quote from any more reports. Will the Minister kindly take this issue to the Prime Minister and ask that it is made a priority?"

.@GuyOpperman @HelenMorganMP @JamieHWStone @timloughton @AngelaCrawley30 @bhatti_saqib @_OliviaBlake @BellRibeiroAddy @JimShannonMP @RichardBurgon @PGibsonSNP @FeryalClark @aliciakearns @drcarolinej

Thank you for your contributions & for supporting bereaved families🧡 #BLAW2022

We know that days like today can feel heavy. Sands are always here to offer support to anyone that needs it -

💻 sands.org.uk/support
☎️ 0808 164 3332
✉️ [e-mail]
📱 Sands Bereavement Support App