Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the clinical and psychological impact of requiring women and birthing people to experience three miscarriages before accessing specialist investigation and support.

No central assessment has been made of either the impact of providing specialist support after three miscarriages, the extent to which treatable conditions linked to miscarriage are identified early under existing pathways, or the number of miscarriages preventable annually through earlier clinical intervention. Data on the proportion of National Health Service trusts offering investigation before three losses is not held centrally.

Commissioning and delivery of miscarriage services such as recurrent miscarriage clinics is the responsibility of integrated care boards and NHS providers, who are expected to ensure services have the staffing and resources to meet the needs of local populations.

Clinical practice is guided by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidance. Full investigation is offered as standard after three pregnancy losses, with investigation after two losses individualised based on clinical risk assessment. There are no current plans to change these thresholds through legislation or central direction, as they are determined by clinical evidence, which NICE and RCOG keep under review.

Miscarriage can have a devastating impact on women and their families, and we are determined that they receive the support they need. As part of the renewed Women’s Health Strategy, we have committed to closely reviewing the findings presented in the Tommy’s graded model of care study, including the suggestions that earlier and tiered support may improve outcomes.