NHS trust’s trailblazing pregnancy loss support highlighted in Government report

Birmingham Women’s and Children NHS Foundation Trust’s (BWC) Pregnancy and Baby Loss policy, the first of its kind when launched in 2021, has been cited in a Government report calling for positive change in national employment law.  

A new report from the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) published recently has said a period of paid leave “should be available to all women and partners who experience a pre-24-week pregnancy loss”, adding “the case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming”.  

BWC led the way four years ago when, after listening to colleagues and those we care for, a package of support was launched including periods of paid leave, for families who are suffering baby loss or experience premature birth.  

Since its introduction, the policy, produced jointly by our Trust and our Trade Union partners, has offered up to ten days paid leave for the person who was pregnant and up to five days paid leave for the partner.   

In addition, staff are also offered paid time off for appointments linked to pregnancy loss and have a promise that all requests to work flexibly following a bereavement are treated with understanding and sensitivity.  

The Trust have also been supporting with efforts nationally pushing for positive change and, last year (2024), it was announced the policy was adopted nationally by our NHS.    

This latest WEC report was put together after input by BWC with our impact report post-policy launch considered by the cross-party committee.  

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Sarah Owen MP, said: “Miscarriages and pregnancy losses can be devastating for women and their families with both emotional and physical consequences. As the data shows, such experiences are sadly not uncommon and yet current legislation has not caught up with this stark reality.   

“The Committee’s report found many private sector employers, plus the NHS, the largest public sector employer of women, are successfully offering paid bereavement leave for those who miscarry, but provision is not universal.   

“The case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming. A period of paid leave should be available to all women and partners who experience a pre-24-week pregnancy loss. It’s time to include bereavement leave for workers who miscarry in new employment rights laws.   

“WEC is calling on the Government to support our amendments, or bring forward its own, to ensure that all those who experience the physical and emotional pain and grief of pregnancy and baby loss are able to access the support they need.”  

Almost 12 months ago, BWC opened a dedicated pregnancy and baby loss centre, Woodland House.

The first of its kind in a UK hospital setting, the charitably-funded centre offers a safe haven for families experiencing the heartbreak of loss, allowing families to grieve in private, away from the busy main hospital. 

The Trust continues to work alongside the Tommy Charity, which has a base at the Women’s Hospital, on pioneering research into new ‘graded models of care’.    

Currently, families generally have to wait until they’ve experienced three miscarriages before they qualify for specialist care and support.

Clinicians at the hospital are piloting a new system where care and support is offered after every miscarriage, with testing and investigations increasing with each loss.