Will the Minister ensure there is a focus on miscarriage in the Welsh women’s and girls’ health plan?
Miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy is a distressing experience for those affected. Every health board offers psychological and emotional support through the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service. Ensuring appropriate support is in place for families that lose a child is a high priority. In October last year we launched the National Framework for the Delivery of Bereavement Care in Wales and have made significant investments in bereavement services during and since the pandemic.
I expect all health boards to ensure they have appropriate arrangements in place to support women who experience miscarriage, including early pregnancy assessment units where women can seek advice if they have concerns about their pregnancy
I intend to launch the women’s health plan later this year. It will adopt the same life-course approach set out by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in its Better for Women report. It will follow all the main areas experienced by women, not just gynaecology and, as such, it will also cover the need for effective support to women who suffer a miscarriage. I have been clear that the plan will be co-produced with service users to ensure the voices of women are heard clearly.