If you are a bereaved parent or family member or friend seeking information about post-mortem examination, please go to this page.
If you are a healthcare professional looking for the Sands post-mortem consent package, please click here.
If you are a health care professional looking for post-mortem consent training, you can access the Perinatal Post-mortem Consent Programme eLearning created by Dr Asha Shenvi, Consultant Neonatologist, University Hospital of North Midlands and Jo Cookson, Neonatal / Midwifery Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University.
The interim policy for commissioning post-mortem services
Importantly, late October 2022, the NHS introduced an interim policy for commissioning perinatal post-mortem examinations. The interim policy now applies across England, Scotland and Wales, and is under consideration in Northern Ireland. The policy has implications for post-mortems for babies dying before or soon after birth.
Sands is fully aware of the interim policy. We are expecting guidance from NHS England on revised post-mortem services, to share with parents and health care professionals. As soon as we have more information, we will update the resources our website.
To see the interim policy go here