Taking the Pregnancy Loss Pledge for our BWC colleagues with the Miscarriage Association
Last July, our Trust proudly signed the ‘Pregnancy Loss Pledge’, a policy created by the Miscarriage Association supporting our colleagues by offering them a range of compassionate support, to help with their pregnancy and parenting journeys. This includes additional paid leave for colleagues who have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy. We have received many requests from other organisations for guidance on how to implement this policy into their own work cultures, to show an extra level of compassion for their teams.
Our policy also offers up to 10 days paid leave for pregnant women and up to five days paid leave for their partners. Baby loss can range from experiencing miscarriage(s), stillbirth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy and neonatal loss. For appointment linked to pregnancy loss, colleagues are offered time off for medical examinations, scans, tests and mental health related interventions. We understand that recovering from baby loss can take its toll and time to heal; we aim to be patient with our colleagues to ensure they are supported throughout. 
Following a bereavement, we offer a promise for flexible working when requested by our colleagues; we're committed to treating them with understanding and sensitivity. For parents who have experienced premature birth, we have also signed up to the Smallest Things ‘Employer with Heart’ Charter, extending leave at full pay until the estimated date of when maternity leave was due to commence and two week paid leave for partners, allowing traditional paternity leave to be taken later when the baby is able to go home. Returning to work following the birth of a premature baby can also be challenging for many parents, which is why we give consideration to flexible working arrangements for our colleagues.
Six months on, we’ve been able to speak with more than 25 NHS Trusts across the country, police forces, local government, universities, private sector and the Northern Irish Assembly about implementing the policy. It’s clear there is still more work to be done and we’re determined to continue to encourage, inspire and support others to start their own conversations about these important issues. 
Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer, said: “The response we’ve had to our policy from colleagues and others since the launch has been fantastic and we’ve been delighted to help other organisations in the NHS and beyond.
“Pregnancy loss and pre-term birth affect and impact so many families yet the taboo that stops people talking about their grief and getting support still remains. We are proud to work with our valued charity partners Tommy’s, The Smallest Things and the Miscarriage Association to help make this happen.”
“Our ambition is to support other Trusts so that, one day, the package of support we offer is replicated throughout our NHS. Firstly though, over the next few months, we’ll be offering more support, training and education to our line managers so they are able to fully support their teams in a heart-led, compassionate way.”
To conclude, “This is certainly a journey that will and must continue.” We’d like to share our utmost support for parents going through these challenging times and hope that we can make the journey less so through our Pregnancy Loss policy.