National scheme to support families after baby deaths faces axe

An “overwhelmingly valued” pilot support scheme for families who have lost a child before or shortly after birth has been paused to new referrals and is being “brought to a close”, HSJ has learned.

The Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate role was proposed as an “immediate and essential action” in the 2022 review of maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust by leading midwife Donna Ockenden.

Pilot schemes were put in place in 16 integrated care board areas in early 2024 to run until March 2026. As of an evaluation in May this year, there had been 20 MNISAs in place who had supported 253 families. The majority of cases were still ongoing at that point.

But NHS England has now said that the pilot phase will be “brought to a close” with learning from it feeding into the Amos independent investigation of maternity and neonatal care.

Baroness Amos is expected to produce an interim report by Christmas and a final report in the spring of next year – although that may slip. Even if that report supports the continuation of the scheme, it is likely there would be a gap before it could be re-established, HSJ understands.

In several parts of the country, the advocates are already no longer taking new referrals. NHSE said those currently supported by an advocate will be given a “personalised care plan”, including a named contact to go to if they have any concerns or need more support.

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Source: HSJ, 13 October 2025