In February 2022, Ireland’s first ever national survey of maternity bereavement care will take place. The aim of the National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey is to capture the experiences of parents bereaved by late pregnancy loss and perinatal death in order to improve the care they receive.
Women who experienced a second trimester miscarriage, a stillborn infant or the early neonatal death of a baby in one of Ireland’s 19 maternity hospitals or units between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 will be invited to participate in the survey. The questionnaire also contains an optional section for the partner or support person who accompanied the mother during her experience of pregnancy loss.
The survey is being conducted by the National Care Experience Programme (NCEP) — a joint initiative between the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health. To date, the NCEP has conducted a number of surveys, including the National Inpatient Experience Survey and the National Maternity Experience Survey.
As you provide support to women who experience pregnancy loss, we are mindful that you may be in contact with or contacted by women participating in the survey. The information leaflet attached explains the aim and purpose of the National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey, and further information is available at www.yourexperience.ie/maternity-bereavement.
If you or your colleagues have any questions about the survey please do not hesitate to contact Anna Maria Verling at HIQA.
Anna Maria Verling | Project Lead | National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey
National Care Experience Programme | Health Information and Quality Authority
Tel: 085 875 0985 | Email: amverling@hiqa.ie
