You are right to highlight the Westminster Hall debate on baby loss on Monday 13 October. I understand that this has been scheduled to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
I offer my deepest sympathies to those who have suffered miscarriages, stillbirths, or the loss of a child. Several colleagues have recounted this painful experience in their lives in Parliament to raise awareness of baby loss and inspire changes in policy.
While there has been a significant reduction in stillbirths, maternity and neonatal deaths since 2010, it is important that more progress is made so we can spare more families from this pain.
I call on the Government to set a new national maternity safety ambition beyond 2025, and to respond to the findings of the recent report by the charity Sands. In particular, Sands found many bereaved parents requiring specialist psychological support are unable to access it through the NHS in England.
It is essential that we help bereaved parents to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and support them through their grief, recognising their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard.
Baby loss certificates were launched under the last Government in February 2024, initially for losses occurring after 1 September 2018. More than 100,000 baby loss certificates have been issued since their introduction, and I am pleased that Ministers decided to extend this initiative to all parents in October 2024.
