Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has called on health boards across Scotland to take the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge.
By signing the pledge, employers commit to a higher pregnancy loss standard to ensure that employees going through what can be a very difficult or traumatic time get the support and time off they need.
Already, 11 health trusts in England and Wales have signed up to the initiative but, so far, none of Scotland’s 12 regional health boards have.
This week, Ms Crawley has written to all of Scotland’s health boards urging them to take the pledge and improve the support available for parents who experience miscarriage.
Miscarriage is not an illness, it is a loss that can be traumatic for expectant parents and has a negative impact on their mental and physical health.
Many parents have highlighted that due to the stigma associated with miscarriage and the lack of support available, they often feel they are unable to grieve adequately.
Through the Pregnancy Loss Pledge, the Miscarriage Association aims to improve support for parents who experience miscarriage by encouraging supportive work environments where employers show empathy and understanding towards people and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss.
Angela Crawley MP has been campaigning to have paid miscarriage leave introduced at Westminster for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks and her Private Members’ Bill is due to have its second reading later this month.
As a result of a campaign by Ms Crawley to get local authorities in Scotland to sign up, there are now 10 councils which have improved support for their employees and taken the pledge.
Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:
“The Pregnancy Loss Pledge is a fantastic initiative by the Miscarriage Association which improves support for parents who experience miscarriage.
“Hundreds of businesses, both big and small, have already signed up which means thousands of workers across the UK know that they will be supported by their employer should they experience miscarriage.
“I would encourage every health board in Scotland to take the Pregnancy Loss Pledge to ensure that their employees are supported through what can be an incredibly tough time both mentally and physically.
“Not only will this enhance their current policies for staff who experience bereavement but they will also be doing their bit in tackling the stigma associated with miscarriage.”