Health Education England elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh) has worked with University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and Keele University to develop a new elearning resource to support health professionals who are required to discuss perinatal post-mortem consent with bereaved families.

Losing a baby is a most difficult time for parents and it can be challenging for health professionals to support parents adequately at this time of intense grief. Health professionals may find discussing a post-mortem with families particularly difficult.

This elearning programme aims to improve the knowledge and confidence of health professionals speaking to parents which will enable parents to make a well informed decision.

All content within this elearning module has been mapped against the learning outcomes stipulated by the HTA and Sands for perinatal post-mortem consent training.

Upon completion of the elearning package professionals who will be obtaining perinatal post-mortem consent will:

• Understand the law and legal requirements in England and Wales
• Understand the benefits, both present and future, for the bereaved family of having a post-mortem investigation
• Be proficient with the process of taking consent for a hospital post-mortem
• Explain what happens at a post-mortem examination and the options available to parents
• Understand the importance of sensitive communication skills.

For more information about the programme, including access details, visit: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/perinatal-post-mortem-consent/