AQW 3892/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will introduce support for anyone having a miscarriage, immediately upon the first miscarriage.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 30 September 2022
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 30 September 2022
- Answer due by
- 17 October 2022
- Answered
- 7 October 20227 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
There is already support available for women after a first miscarriage. All Trusts in Northern Ireland have a bereavement midwife, early pregnancy unit and services available for women who have experienced miscarriage.
Primary care services, counselling and other supports located in the community and voluntary sector are available to women who experience miscarriage.
Furthermore, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Guideline NG 126, ‘Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management’, was endorsed by the Department in June 2019. This guideline aims to improve how early pregnancy loss is diagnosed, and the support women are given, to limit the psychological impact of their loss. It was updated in November 2021 to reflect new recommendations on the use of progesterone in cases of threatened miscarriage. It is expected that the HSC will also implement these new recommendations.