Lanarkshire MSP wins promise from First Minister to introduce pregnancy loss certificates for stillborn babies

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Lanarkshire MSP Graham Simpson has won a promise from Nicola Sturgeon to introduce pregnancy loss certificates for stillborn babies less than 24 weeks old.His call came after being contacted by East Kilbride constituent Heather Denham, who works for local charity Baby Loss Retreat.Heather shared with the Central Scotland MSP her heartbreaking experience of losing three children, one of which was 20 weeks old.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Sadly, children born before 24 weeks do not receive a birth certificate and do not exist in the eyes of the law.The UK Government has recently introduced a similar certificate as part of their Women’s Health Strategy for England but no such provision exists in Scotland.In response to Mr Simpson, Nicola Sturgeon agreed to investigate introducing baby loss certificates in Scotland and added that she always marks baby loss awareness week personally.

Heather said: “I am delighted that the First Minister has committed to introducing pregnancy loss certificates in Scotland.

It will mean so much to thousands of people who have lost children. “Being part of First Minister’s Questions and hearing my story spoken about has been incredible.“I am so grateful to Graham Simpson for taking my story to parliament and can’t wait to see the final result.”Mr Simpson stressed