Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2016 to Question 57868, when Health Education England plans to publish the new competency framework for all midwifery staff on basic bereavement training that is being developed with NHS England and the Royal College of Midwives.

Health Education England’s (HEE) End of Life Care Core Skills Education and Training Framework is in the final stages of comment and amendment by the steering group following a consultation period. HEE are hoping to publish the framework in early 2017.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) and other charities have agreed to design a new bereavement care pathway, rather than a new competency framework specifically for midwives, to improve the bereavement care provided by all professions.

Additionally, the Nursing Medical Council is undertaking a review of midwifery standards and competencies, due to be completed in 2018. SANDS are also running bereavement training days, accredited by the RCM, for both student midwives and fully trained midwives.