Confidence and Care: Understanding Staff Needs in Supporting Families Through Pregnancy Loss in Gynaecological Settings

AimTo explore healthcare professionals’ confidence, skills and organisational support needs in providing pregnancy loss care within gynaecological settings in Northern Ireland.DesignThis is a mixed-methods, exploratory study.MethodsAn anonymous online survey was completed by 18 healthcare professionals. Quantitative data were collected using the Perinatal Bereavement Care Confidence Scale and analysed with descriptive statistics. Open-ended responses were analysed through qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe majority (83%) of participants acknowledged that pregnancy loss is a traumatic event for women. However, only 11% of participants felt well prepared to provide bereavement support. Organisational and environmental barriers were perceived to impede compassionate practice, and the majority of participants (94%) believed continuing bereavement education is needed. Grief counselling skills were highlighted as a particular training need. Analysis of the qualitative data generated four overarching categories reflecting healthcare professionals’ perspectives on pregnancy loss care within gynaecological settings: (1) creating safe and compassionate spaces, (2) systemic and structural pressures undermine care, (3) the need for skilled, confident and supported staff and (4) building organisational commitment to bereavement care.ConclusionHealthcare professionals aspire to deliver dignified, person-centred care following pregnancy loss but face systematic and educational barriers. Increasing organisational support as well as investment in staffing levels, bereavement training and access to emotional support are essential for the provision and sustainability of high-quality bereavement care and staff wellbeing.Implications for the ProfessionEmbedding bereavement education, reflective practice and dedicated bereavement care environments within gynaecological services could foster confidence and consistency of bereavement care for pregnancy loss in this setting.Patient or Public ContributionAn advisory group comprising clinicians, bereavement support organisations and women with lived experience contributed to this study.Reporting MethodThis study adheres to the GRAMMS checklist for mixed-methods reporting.