| 1. |
Resuscitation to be called urgently |
| 2. |
On call Consultant (Accident and Emergency) must be informed immediately |
| 3. |
Parent should be allowed to watch any resuscitation if they wish |
| 4. |
A nurse or other member of staff to be allocated to support the parents and family |
| 5. |
Once death has been confirmed, the following points need to be considered: |
| |
5.1 |
Coroner to be informed |
| |
5.2 |
Police to be informed if it is a sudden unexpected death of an infant or if any suspicions about circumstances of death (inform parents) |
| |
5.3 |
Investigations to be done as appropriate |
| |
5.4 |
Referral to Children's Social Care - referral to be made if child is the subject of a Child Protection Plan, cause of death unclear or if there are any concerns around the circumstances of the death. If none of these, the Consultant will liaise with Children's Social Care for a check to be done |
| |
5.5 |
GP to be informed |
| |
5.6 |
Child Bereavement proforma to be completed |
| |
5.7 |
Named Child Protection Nurse to be informed of all deaths at the earliest opportunity who will inform Designated Child Protection Doctor and Nurse |
| |
5.8 |
Health Visitor Liaison Team to be informed and who will liaise Child Health |
| |
5.9 |
Consider the need to inform other hospitals who may be involved in the care of the child |
| |
5.10 |
Offer to contact relevant religious person |
| |
5.11 |
If the child is in the Resuscitation Area, it may be appropriate to transfer them to a cubicle for some private time together. |
| 6. |
The following information should be given to the parents and family: |
| |
6.1 |
Parent Information leaflet/pack (which includes information on the processes involved, contact numbers and support services) |
| 7. |
The following should be offered to the parents |
| |
7.1 |
Keepsake card |
| |
7.2 |
Photo (camera to be requested from SCBU or disposable camera available) |
| |
7.3 |
Lock of hair |
| 8. |
When the time is appropriate, the child should be transferred to the mortuary in the company of a nurse and the family, if they wish |
| |
8.1 |
Any personal belongs that the family wish to stay with the child should be labelled with the child's name e.g. teddy etc |
| 9. |
Ensure the parents have transport home |
| 10. |
Follow up appointments for the parents will be arranged as appropriate with the Consultant on call at the time of the child's death. |
