NHS Lanarkshire has joined health boards across Scotland by signing up to the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge.
The pledge asks employers to support staff dealing with pregnancy loss through enabling a supportive environment, making provisions for leave and offering access to help and advice.
Ruth Hibbert, NHS Lanarkshire’s head of human resources – policy and governance, said, “We’re pleased to support the pledge, noting that its asks are already covered in the refresh of the Supporting Work-life Balance Policies within the NHS Scotland Once for Scotland Workforce Policies Programme.
“NHS boards will therefore adopt the pledge on the basis that it will be met through these policies and the Once for Scotland person-centred approach.
“Our manager guide to the maternity policy and manager guide to the special leave policy include support for colleagues who have experienced a miscarriage and for their partners. These guides set the standard for us to follow and there is also plenty of helpful advice on the Miscarriage Association’s website – https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/.
“We’ll now register our commitment to the pledge with the Miscarriage Association.”
The Pregnancy Loss Pledge asks employers to:
- Encourage a supportive work environment where people feel able to discuss and disclose pregnancy and/or loss without fear of being disadvantaged or discriminated against;
- Understand and implement the rules around pregnancy-related leave, ensuring staff feel able to take the time off they need;
- Show empathy and understanding towards people and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss;
- Implement a pregnancy loss policy or guidance, or ensure it is included in sickness, bereavement, or other workplace policies – being mindful of the needs of partners, too;
- Encourage line managers to access in-house or external guidance (such as that available on the Miscarriage Association website) on how to support someone experiencing pregnancy loss;
- Support people back to work by being responsive to their needs and showing flexibility wherever possible.
