§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he issues to ensure that(a) parents are 827W given a full explanation and (b) care and consideration is taken when death of a child occurs during surgery. [74400]
§ Jacqui SmithParents should be supported after the death of their child and given information that will help them understand why the death occurred. Health Service Guidelines HSG(92)8, issued on 23 January 1992, deals with patients who die in hospital, whether child or adult.
The guidance requires hospitals to ensure that all staff who deal with the dying or the deceased and their relatives are made aware of the document. It also requires those commissioning healthcare services to ensure that hospitals have appropriate procedures in place to ensure that account is taken of the guidance.
The children's national service framework will look further at the special considerations surrounding the death of a child and include examples of good practice.