Question reference: S5W-26856
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 7 January 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 January 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility NHS boards have to ensure that bereavement training is provided to midwives when specialist cover does not meet demand.
Answer
Scottish Government supports the NHSScotland workforce to deliver a resilient, efficient and high quality healthcare service. All Health Boards have midwives who are trained in bereavement care and all NHS Boards are accountable to Scottish Ministers, supported by the Scottish Government.
The NHS Education for Scotland website ‘Support Around Death’ provides health professionals across Scotland with a range of resources on bereavement care after pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death, including short animated educational films. An e-learning resource on bereavement following pregnancy loss and the death of a baby is available on the Knowledge Network and provides in-depth education for maternity care professionals.
Midwifery students are offered modules on bereavement and loss so that they enter the profession knowing the importance of caring for women and families experiencing loss.