Membership

Open to members of Dáil Éireann or the Seanad.

Expert Advisory Group (EAG)

Role of Pregnancy Loss Research Group: inform on key research, help develop strategies and identify priorities

Specific aims of the Cross-Party Group

• To provide a forum for expert collaboration with parliamentary colleagues to inform action to:

  • Prevent and reduce pregnancy and infant loss

  • Enhance bereavement care and supports surrounding pregnancy and infant loss

  • Improve and standardise service provision / structures.

• To work with public bodies, charities / non-governmental organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, and people/families directly affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

• To work within the current Oireachtas structures to raise these issues and influence action

  • For example, through PQs, Recommendations to Committees, engaging Departmental policy units

Specific issues to be addressed by the Cross-Party Group (many are inter-linked)

1. Ending preventable baby deaths

   1. Public education and awareness campaigns

   2. Prevention strategies: risk factor education and training

   3. Clinical management: guideline implementation, decision support tools

   4. Care improvement cycle - reviews of perinatal deaths.

   5. Research to improve care

2. Improving & standardising service provision / structures – early pregnancy loss

   1. Model of Care for miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage

   2. Recommendations of the Standards for Early Pregnancy Units.

3. Recognising and acknowledging – pregnancy loss <23 weeks

   1. National data collection on pregnancy loss 

   2. Certificate of pregnancy and baby loss

   3. Statutory leave for pregnancy and baby loss.

Other Groups that the Cross-Party Group will develop relations/links with:

• Advisory Group for the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death

• The Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus

• The All-Party Oireachtas Interest Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

• Women’s Health Taskforce, Department of Health.