The Stillbirth Clinical Care Standard supports best practice care for stillbirth prevention and investigation, and bereavement care following perinatal loss.
This Standard was developed in response to a recommendation in the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan that the Commission develop a clinical care standard to improve national consistency in best-practice care for stillbirth prevention and bereavement care.
We are pleased that APS and member feedback on an earlier draft strengthened aspects of the Standard associated with psychological care and the role of psychologists including:
- clinical safety considerations for women with pre-existing mental health risk factors
- culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care
- the recognition of diverse gender identities and providing care that is sensitive to and respectful of all people’s needs.
The Stillbirth Clinical Care Standard aims to reduce unwarranted variation and improve the appropriateness of care for stillbirth prevention, and the quality of bereavement care following perinatal loss. The Standard also supports the delivery of evidence-based clinical care, and promotes shared decision making between patients, carers and clinicians.
The APS along with 25 other key professional associations and consumer organisations has endorsed the Standard.
The Standard and further information and resources can be accessed at: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/stillbirth-clinical-care-standard
The APS submission on the earlier draft version of the Standards can be accessed at:
https://psychology.org.au/psychology/advocacy/Submissions/Professional-Practice/2022/Response-to-the-Consultation-about-the-Draft-Still