This Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October 2025) we are joining organisations across the country in raising awareness, breaking the silence, and showing support for everyone affected by the loss of a baby.
NHS Greater Manchester approach
At NHS Greater Manchester, we are committed to supporting our people through every stage of their lives – especially during times of personal challenge. We are proud to announce the launch of our new Pregnancy Loss Policy, designed to provide meaningful, compassionate support to staff experiencing the loss of a baby.
The policy offers a range of support, including paid leave, clear guidance for managers, and a strong focus on creating a culture where nobody has to suffer in silence.
To further show our commitment, NHS Greater Manchester has also signed the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge. By doing so, we have promised to recognise pregnancy loss as a bereavement – not just a medical event – and to ensure that staff are treated with empathy, dignity, and care.
This new policy has been co-designed with people who have lived experience of baby loss, as well as with the Miscarriage Association. Together, we have created a policy that reflects our values of kindness, inclusion, and respect.
Sue, who helped shape the policy shared:
“I was so pleased to be approached to contribute to the development of a new baby loss policy at NHS Greater Manchester. This is a topic that is sadly close to my heart, as I have two angel babies of my own, and since having had that experience I’ve been a volunteer at the miscarriage association supporting others through this difficult time.
Many organisations include this sort of information within the maternity policy, so you have to trawl through a long document citing maternity entitlement before finding out what happens when you lose a baby – which can cause further distress. So now we have a separate document, that is worded sensitively, and provides a new level of support. Often one of the things people find difficult is what to say to people who’ve experienced this kind of loss, importantly this policy also outlines how best to support colleagues through.
Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 people. We all likely know multiple colleagues who’ve been affected by this, but perhaps don’t know.”
By signing the Pregnancy Loss Pledge and introducing this policy, we hope to encourage open conversations, provide reassurance, and ensure that no one feels isolated in their grief.
Supporting you – available help
We recognise that loss can bring a wide range of emotional and practical challenges. It is common to feel sadness, guilt, fatigue, anxiety or anger, and that grief can emerge immediately or sometimes after a delay.
If you find it difficult to cope, or your grief is affecting your day-to-day life, you are encouraged to seek additional support. There are different ways to get help.
- You can contact your GP practice for support and advice.
- The Miscarriage Association is a charity that offers support to people who have lost a baby. You can call them on 01924 200 799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk to be put in touch with a support volunteer.
- Cruse Bereavement Care helps people understand their grief and cope with their loss. You can call them on 0808 808 1677 to find a network of local branches where you can find support.
- The Greater Manchester Bereavement Service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays) and can be reached on 0161 983 0902.
- You can find local bereavement services online.
- Visit the NHS website for information and signposting advice.
