Bereavement Midwife

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Bereavement Team at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. We have an opportunity for an experienced and motivated registered Midwife who is passionate about Bereavement care to join the team.
The post holder will be responsible for coordinating the Bereavement services offered to newly bereaved parents and to provide support to midwifery and medical staff when caring for women experiencing late miscarriage, Medical Termination of Pregnancy, stillbirth and Neonatal death, provide ongoing support whilst in hospital and once at home
- To support the Specialist Bereavement Midwife with providing verbal and written information to bereaved families and to support women and their families who have experienced the death of their baby
- To provide support to midwifery and medical staff working within Women’s and Children’s services when caring for women experiencing a loss in pregnancy, stillbirth or early neonatal death
- To act as an educational resource for nursing, midwifery staff and maternity care assistants on physical, psychological and administrative aspects of bereavement care. In addition, this role is to provide support and training for staff in bereavement related issues.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and we are continually upgrading.

We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall.

We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce

RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM

To deliver a confidential support service to women and their partners following the loss of their baby

To coordinate the Bereavement service offered to newly bereaved parents, liaising with all members of the team to ensure that an efficient and high-quality service is provided.

To give emotional and psychological support to bereaved parents and the staff involved in their care. This support may be initiated during pregnancy, in labour or following the birth/death of the baby.

Ensure access to services is initiated for those women requesting support and maintained for an appropriate time period. This may entail Home Visiting for some clients who may be distressed at entering the Hospital premises.

To identify potential risks and assist in the completion of reports following clinical incidents.

To maintain correct records of all bereaved clients.

To ensure both the Notification to MBRRACE and surveillance information is completed

To ensure all reports and documents are filed notes in preparation for consultant postnatal appointment.

To contribute to multi-disciplinary panels from time to time to look at specific areas of Perinatal Mortality

To plan and evaluate Perinatal bereavement clinical care across the unit ensuring that safe and effective holistic evidence-based care is provided.

To identify and disseminate research findings related to Perinatal bereavement support and participate in research projects when required

To assist with the delivery of educational training programmes, meeting the needs of the multi-disciplinary clinical staff in relation to bereavement issues.

To participate in audit as required.

To work within the supportive team to maintain an effective working relationship with the Chaplains, the Bereavement Officer/Team, Mortuary Manager, Neonatal Pathologist, Histology, Hospital Funeral Directors and the Cemetery and Crematorium

To be available to give practical help and support where appropriate, either by telephone or in person to members of junior staff

To support the development of, maintain and regularly review fetal loss information packs for women and staff.

To participate in formulating local policies and guidelines.

To support the lead Midwife with delivery of staff training needs within the Service.

To act as an effective advocate for the bereaved woman and her partner by using effective communication to ensure that an individual’s care is of the highest possible standard.

To ensure families know how to access further support such as baby loss support charities, counselling services and mental health support services.

Required to notify national agencies of stillbirths and neonatal deaths (i.e. MBRRACE, CDOP, HSIB)

In partnership with the governance team ensure that benchmarking is undertaken of the relevant guidance to ensure the delivery of services are in line with national standards”