This World Childless Week (11th - 17th Sept), we are sharing the latest from Governments across the UK in relation to childlessness. We recognise some of the themes and topics mentioned may not be relevant to your own personal experience of childlessness and that experiences with childlessness vary from person to person.
The information below gives an overview of any changes or updates from Governments across the UK during the last 12 months. For further information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page.
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Endometriosis UK welcome the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)’s report: Pregnancy Loss Review. The review demonstrated the importance of support when a loss is suffered and there were recommendations to improve care going forward. The review sets out the vision of improvement and care for those who experience 24-week baby loss.
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In the Women’s Health Strategy for England, pregnancy loss is a key theme of improvement going forward. One of the top commitments referenced is “improving care for women who experience pregnancy and baby loss”.
It is also recognised that greater support is needed for those who have experienced a pregnancy loss in the workplace. -
The 2021 Scottish Government manifesto commitments include actions relating to miscarriage and childlessness, some of which include:
- “establishing a dignified and compassionate miscarriage service tailored to the needs of women;
- the provision of paid leave for miscarriage and stillbirth, delivering this within the public sector and calling on the UK Government to make the necessary changes to employment law to make it available for everyone”. -
The Women’s Health Plan for Wales has not yet been published however, the Welsh Government released ‘Women’s Health in Wales, A Discovery Report: Foundations for a Women’s Health Plan in November 2022’. They reference in the report that gynaecological conditions and pregnancy loss are areas that have been recognised as needing more research and evidence.
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Currently there is no Women’s Health Plan for Northern Ireland, however, there is work ongoing to develop the Northern Ireland Women’s Health Pathway. The Women’s Health Toolkit has been designed for healthcare practitioners and “offers decision makers, commissioners and women’s health service providers a wide range of resources to support the set up and growth of Women’s Health Hubs”.
If you would like further information on the above topics, please see a list of helpful links below:
