Baby loss certificates will become available in Wales

It is a way of offering parents a way to commemorate their baby

Baby loss certificates are going to be made available in Wales, it has been confirmed. Since 2024, in England, parents have been able to request a certificate in memory of their baby if a pregnancy ends before 24 weeks. It is a way of offering parents a way to commemorate their baby. Until now, though, baby loss certificates have only been available in England., but Welsh Government minister Sarah Murphy has confirmed they will now be available in Wales.

Claire Hughes, MP for Bangor Aberconwy has campaigned on the issue. She says she is “really pleased” that the decision has been taken.

In a statement, she said: “Last year, I promised local families who had contacted me about this issue that I’d push the UK and Welsh governments to work together and make baby loss certificates available in Wales.

“I’ve done that repeatedly since, raising the issue in parliament and with the Welsh Government.

“So I was really pleased to receive this letter from Minister Sarah Murphy last week, confirming that she has instructed NHS Wales to deliver a bilingual baby loss certificate scheme here in Wales.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

“Nothing will ever take away the pain of losing a baby. But I hope that these small steps will provide a little comfort to bereaved families in Wales.”

The Welsh certificate will be bilingual.

The UK Government say you can get a certificate in memory of your baby if your pregnancy ends before 24 weeks (or 28 weeks if your pregnancy ended before October 1, 1992).

If your pregnancy ends from 24 weeks onwards, you need to register a stillbirth instead.

It’s free to get a certificate but they are optional, no-one has to request a certificate.

People will need to provide their NHS number, a phone number and permission from the other parent.

In her letter, Ms Murphy wrote that there is a commitment to a scheme in Wales.

“I have issued a ministerial direction to the NHS Business Services Authority to deliver a bilingual scheme for Wales, on the same basis as it is available in England,” she said.

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