15-07-2025
People in Dumfries and Galloway urged to help end support 'postcode lottery' for bereaved parents
A new report by Sands has revealed that only three-quarters of bereaved parents wanted mental health support – but only eight per cent were able to access this through the NHS.
A baby loss charity is urging people in Dumfries and Galloway to help end the 'postcode lottery' of support on offer to bereaved parents.
A new report by Sands has revealed that only three-quarters of bereaved parents wanted mental health support – but only eight per cent were able to access this through the NHS. That was lower than in England, where 17 per cent were able to access such support.
While NHS Dumfries and Galloway employs a maternity and neonatal psychological interventions (MNPI) psychologist, 29 per cent of health boards across Scotland do not.
Sands chief executive, Clea Harmer, said: 'The findings of our report show that it is a postcode lottery for bereaved parents in Scotland looking for specialist mental health support.
"Fathers and partners, those experiencing earlier pregnancy losses and people from marginalised communities are especially likely to miss out on care.
"Maternity and neonatal psychological interventions teams can support bereaved parents in Scotland but these are found in only 71 per cent of health boards and even when they exist they are not always providing what is needed.
"We now need real commitment from the Scottish Government, and all governments across the UK, to strengthen and expand mental health services which support bereaved parents."
To compile the report, Sands made freedom of information requests to Scotland's health boards. NHS Dumfries and Galloway's response shows the health board has a 0.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) MNPI psychologist, with support on offer to bereaved parents for up to a year.
There is a six week wait for access to both assessment and therapy, with half of health boards reporting waits of one to three months.
One-to-one support is on offer for up to a year after a pregnancy or baby loss to both parents, or the mother on their own.
Sands is calling on people in Dumfries and Galloway to contact their local representative to ensure all bereaved parents can access the care they need.
