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MNHQ

Mumsnet campaign for Miscarriage standard code of practice

15 replies

carriemumsnet · 21/04/2008 17:40

When Alan Johnson came a visiting last week, miscarriage and some of the frankly appalling treatment that Mumsnetters have suffered was one of the talking points Following on from sfx's comments (and others) this is what AJ had to say:
"it seems to me from all your comments and from talking to the Mumsnet people here that we really should seek to ensure a common set of standards across the country. I think I'm in at the start of a new campaign and it's something I will talk to Ministers about when I return to the Department. Mumsnet have informed me that I will not be allowed to forget this issue!"

So now it's down to us to come up with that common set of standards- guidelines and procedures that we'd like to see implemented across the whole of the UK.

I'll happily kick off as a veteran of 2 m/c: but do feel free to disagree with my suggestions/add your improvements :

Automatic access to EPU for anyone with a suspected miscarriage (without having to get a GP referral) and EPU's situated away from regular ante natal clinics /labour wards and devoid of images of smiling babies - please.

Access to all affected to a pamphlet/booklet put together by Mumsnet and full of your tips, advice, empathy and reassurance - describing what might happen and letting folks know they're not alone in this.

Over to you...

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 10/06/2008 17:11

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts on the Miscarriage Code of Practice recommendations for Alan Johnson, Lord Darzi et al.

We've compiled into a list of 10 key recommendations here.

Do have a look through and let us know if we've missed anything important/ any typos etc.

Thanks,

M Towers

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 16/06/2008 11:36

Thanks for all further points, typo-spotting etc. We're editing right now and will post final version soonest and get it sent off to the right people (Scotland included).

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/06/2008 17:30

Ok so here is the slightly re-jigged version taking into account your recent comments - we'll send it off to the UK health ministers tomorrow and we'll let you know what they say.
Thanks again everyone for your input.

MNHQ

carriemumsnet · 25/06/2008 21:45

This has been posted on site stuff already but, thought it worth posting here too, just in case:

The Scottish Daily Record are keen to give some support to our campaign for A Miscarriage Standard Code of Practice. They need to speak to someone from Scotland who is willing to share their experience of miscarriage (we do understand if you would rather not). If you feel you might be able to help please contact Lisa Adams at [email protected]

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 27/01/2010 13:48

Update on this. We raised the MN Miscarriage code of practice with Gordon Brown when he came on Mumsnet and he put his Health man at no. 10 onto it.

We've just received the following correspondence from him:

"Hi Justine, hope you are well.

As you know Chief Nurse has been looking at all these ideas closely. Andy Burnham is keen to also understand the issues and as well as changes to the code of practice we want to look at some of the other ways in which handling of miscarriages could be made better.

Plan is now for Andy Burnham to chair a discussion on these issues alongside the Chief Nurse. They will definitley invite you and hopefully some others from mumsnet, and I hope a few others from across the field. I'm told feb, but I'll chase on a date."

So hopefully some progress - we'll keep you posted.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 03/02/2010 17:06

Hello.

Thought you'd like to know that we've just received this from the Department of Health:

"Following up the concerns raised by Mumsnet about the care of women's miscarriages, there is to be a meeting to explore the way forward."

And they've asked us to attend.

Good news, eh?

As ever, we'll keep you posted.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 11/02/2010 15:18

To keep you up to date we're going into the Dept of Health on Thurs 25th to discuss how our recommendations "could be delivered through the implementation of the Maternity Standard of the National Service Framework".

So fingers crossed and we'll keep you posted on any progress.

JustineMumsnet · 22/02/2010 13:45

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JustineMumsnet · 22/02/2010 14:16

This reply has been deleted

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 22/02/2010 17:51

Queen - so sorry to hear about your lousy care - do drop lucy a line. Thanks.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 25/02/2010 12:03

At the Dept of Health now discussing our Code of Practice. Lots of consensus that our ten point plan is desirable - getting into the meat of discussing what's achievable.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 25/02/2010 12:47

With regard to pt 5 of our Code - i.e. renaming ERPC to something less confusing and upsetting, we've been asked for thoughts on what term/description Mumsnetters think would be better. What do you think of Removal of foetus/baby and sac for example?

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 25/02/2010 17:12

Comment on Surgical removal of pregnancy from the health professionals is that it would equally apply to termination - so maybe not so good?

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 01/03/2010 11:40

Hello Mumsnetters,
We've just heard from the Chief Nursing Officer re the Miscarriage practice meeting which was called to discuss the issues raised in our Code of Practice. Broadly it was very positive, with lots of agreement about what needed to be done. Essentially many of our recommendations to do with sensitivity/communication are already in the guidance, they're just not being universally followed, so we talked about training and information provision. We also talked about practicalities - ie access to Early pregnancy units and how they could be arranged physically to give miscarrying women private space.

Here's what the Chief Nursing officer has sent:
"Maternity services are a priority for the Department of Health and we're
always looking at ways to make them better for the women who use them.
Sadly for some women this includes services for early pregnancy loss which
is why yesterday my team and I met with a number of professional and expert
patient groups and charities to hear their thoughts on how these services
currently work and how we can make them better.

"It was a great opportunity to have such a wealth of knowledge and
experience in one room with representatives from groups including Mumsnet.
We discussed a number of innovative ways that services can improve the
things that really matter to women going through early pregnancy loss,
including making sure women understand what is happening to them and are
sensitively supported throughout their care. We are now going to use this
information to help local NHS organisations across the country to
understand and improve the quality of their services and to make decisions
about the services they provide in future. We are delighted that all of
the participants are keen to stay involved to help us take this work
forward, giving us a real opportunity to drive up the quality of care for
women and their families."

The groups involved in the meeting were:

Association of Early Pregnancy Units
Care Quality Commission
Department of Health
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
The Miscarriage Association
Mumsnet
NHS Choices
The Royal College of Midwives
The Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
SANDS

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 03/02/2011 11:43

Hello mumtosky - yes, we're still working on it; we have a few plans and are thinking about how best to implement them. Hopefully we will have some news for you soon.

Un-Mumsnetty hugs to you, GwendolineMaryLacey and everyone else with experience of miscarriage.

MNHQ x

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