Communication: useful resources
This useful resources page accompanies the advice we provide on the communication page, which includes information on the importance of addressing language and communication barriers for patients. This page includes resources that provide advice for you on bereavement care, as well as organisations that can support your patient if they’ve experienced pregnancy loss or baby loss. It also signposts to resources to help you to seek feedback from patients.
Bereavement and early birth losses: advice for healthcare professionals:
UK-wide
- Twins Trust provide information on bereavement in twins and triplets for healthcare professionals across the UK.
England
- The National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP) provide a range of toolkits, including a patient engagement resource focused on how to make improvements using feedback from parents.
- NHS England also provide an NBCP training programme for healthcare professionals.
Scotland
- The National Bereavement Care Pathway provide training and resources.
- NHS Education for Scotland set out information on pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death, which includes support and guidance for healthcare professionals.
Wales and Northern Ireland
- Wales and Northern Ireland are working with Sands (a charity that supports those affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby) to create bereavement care pathways for people who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
- While this work is in development, in Wales, it may be useful to review the Welsh Government’s National bereavement care pathway, which provides general guidance.
- In Northern Ireland, Health and Social Care signpost to the NBCP in England and Scotland as points of reference.
Bereavement and early birth losses: signposting for patients
UK-wide
- Sands, which offers support including an online chat function, a free phone helpline, local and online support groups across the UK, as well as targeted support for Black and South Asian communities.
- Tommy’s, which provides baby loss information and support via their midwives’ helpline, a special helpline for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage patients, online support groups and a miscarriage support tool.
- The Lullaby Trust, which has a helpline, online groups, family days and befrienders as well as leading The Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme.
- The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy.
Seeking feedback from patients and co-production
England
- National Maternity Voices
- Care Quality Commission: Good practice in healthcare equity
- NHS England: Communications toolkit for local maternity teams to improve communications with Black, Asian and minority ethnic women
- The King’s Fund Understanding integration: how to listen to and learn from people and communities
- NHS England: Guidance on working with people and communities
Other resources to support you
UK-wide
