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Written question asked by Luke Evans (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 September 2026. It was answered by Alison McGovern (Labour) on Monday, 14 September 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Infant Mortality: Bereavement Counselling

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what outcomes arose from meetings with bereaved fathers as part of her Department's wider engagement with families.

Answer

The National Bereavement Care Pathway sets standards and guidance aimed at ensuring all bereaved parents, including fathers and partners, receive consistent, individualised, and sensitive care. NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Framework sets an expectation that all National Health Service trusts implement the pathway for stillbirth and neonatal death.

The Department’s engagement with bereaved fathers and other families helps ensure that their experiences inform work to improve bereavement care and support. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is also supported by family expert reference groups, including people with experience of bereavement, whose chairs represent members’ views and priorities on the taskforce. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with bereaved families, including fathers and partners, as this work develops.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26648
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Parents Men Infant mortality Bereavement counselling
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk