‘Deny and defend’ a trauma for all - Medical negligence cases

NEW standards being adopted by the Health Service Executive for perinatal death are a welcome recognition that when miscarriages and post-pregnancy loss occur the family of the child needs to be dealt with in a caring and sensitive manner.

An 84-page document published yesterday by the HSE outlines how bereavement care must be integrated with a hospital’s overall medical and clinical engagement with parents. It advises that mothers and families need accurate information given in a sensitive and supportive manner.

That sounds like a very responsible and reasonable approach in dealing with such tragic deaths, and let us hope that those caring words will be followed by equally caring action and not become another unfulfilled pious aspiration.