OBJECTIVE: To illustrate and emphasise the role of the Bereavement Officer in the management of perinatal death, as recommended and envisaged by a report of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1985. DESIGN: A description of the training and responsibilities of the officer and an account of her involvement with all perinatal deaths within a given period. SETTING: Perinatal deaths in the 12 months, 1 October 1989 to 30 September 1990 from a regional neonatal intensive care unit within a maternity hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 59 registerable deaths, three late terminations (severe fetal abnormality) and 12 late mid-trimester miscarriages were dealt with by the Bereavement Officer in this 12 month period. RESULTS: The introduction of this service to our unit has led to an improvement in our management of both perinatal and fetal deaths. CONCLUSION: The service has justified fully the recommendations made by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Reducing parents' distress will facilitate their grieving and any subsequent bereavement counselling.
OBJECTIVE: To illustrate and emphasise the role of the Bereavement Officer in the management of perinatal death, as recommended and envisaged by a report of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1985. DESIGN: A description of the training and responsibilities of the officer and an account of her involvement with all perinatal deaths within a given period. SETTING: Perinatal deaths in the 12 months, 1 October 1989 to 30 September 1990 from a regional neonatal intensive care unit within a maternity hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 59 registerable deaths, three late terminations (severe fetal abnormality) and 12 late mid-trimester miscarriages were dealt with by the Bereavement Officer in this 12 month period. RESULTS: The introduction of this service to our unit has led to an improvement in our management of both perinatal and fetal deaths. CONCLUSION: The service has justified fully the recommendations made by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Reducing parents' distress will facilitate their grieving and any subsequent bereavement counselling.