Northern Ireland’s first Antenatal Palliative Care Pathway was launched on 13 January 2022.
Developed to support parents whose unborn baby has a potentially life limiting or life threatening condition, the Pathway aims to support parents who receive the devastating news that their unborn baby may die:
- to ensure they receive high quality holistic care
- to provide advice and support on the type of care available to them
- Regional Antenatal Palliative Care Pathway and User Guide PDF
Part of the regional ‘NI Strategy for Children’s Palliative and End-of-Life Care 2016-2026‘ the pathway has been developed by the Paediatric Palliative Care Network, through a collaborative approach involving health professionals from:
- Foetal Medicine
- Neonatology
- Obstetrics
- Midwifery
- Clinical Psychology
- Paediatrics and Paediatric Palliative Care Leads
- Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice
Families affected by a palliative diagnosis were also consulted.
As part of the launch health professionals who provide care to expectant parents, including obstetricians, bereavement midwives, paediatricians and foetal medicine specialists, will receive a comprehensive package of training and support, including a user guide and education video.