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A study of bereavement care after a sudden and unexpected death

Dent, Ann; Condon, Louise; Blair, Peter; Fleming, Peter

Authors

Ann Dent

Louise Condon

Peter Blair

Peter Fleming



Abstract

Bereaved parents' perceptions of care after the sudden, unexpected death of their child (from 1 week to 12 years), and the care that was or could be offered by statutory and voluntary agencies, was assessed in 11 health districts in seven regions of England and Wales. In these 11 districts, 185 families were identified who met the criteria of the study. Permission to contact these families was given by only 72 general practitioners. Of these, 42 families responded (58%). Sudden infant death syndrome accounted for 43% of the deaths. The results from postal questionnaires sent to both parents showed that hospital care was perceived as good on the whole, although parents would like more choices. Most parents felt that community care was inadequate, leaving many feeling isolated. In contrast, questionnaires from health visitors and general practitioners in the same health districts showed that they believed that they were the most appropriate professionals to give follow up care, but as there were few policies to guide them and little training provided, felt unable to offer support.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 1996
Deposit Date May 18, 2010
Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood
Print ISSN 0003-9888
Electronic ISSN 1468-2044
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 74
Issue 6
Pages 522-526
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.74.6.522
Keywords bereavement, death
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1105376
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.74.6.522
Contract Date Nov 16, 2016