New NHS guidance helps GPs to support families after the death of a child
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
In a pioneering move, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has published new guidance designed to equip general practice teams with the tools and understanding to support bereaved families following the death of a child.
When a Child Dies: An NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Framework for General Practice was produced in collaboration with The Alder Centre – a dedicated child bereavement centre based at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – and Claire House Children’s Hospice.
Published to coincide with the inaugural Child Death Awareness Week (1 to 7 July), the framework recognises that, while healthcare professionals are experienced in dealing with loss, child deaths are deeply traumatic and often occur under sudden or complex circumstances, presenting unique clinical and emotional challenges.
Drawing on best practice and the lived experiences of bereaved parents, the framework provides a checklist for GP practices to follow, advice on communicating with and supporting bereaved parents and families, as well as signposting to further support.
The guidance was created in close consultation with bereaved parents, whose powerful testimonies are quoted throughout the document, serving as poignant reminders of the important roles GPs play as one of the few consistent healthcare touchpoints for families in the aftermath of such a loss.
Dr Jonathan Griffiths, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“The death of a child is a profoundly distressing event for any family and presents a unique and significant challenge for those of us in general practice. This framework has been developed to provide structured, practical guidance to enable primary care teams to respond confidently and sensitively in these rare but devastating circumstances.”
“Importantly, this guidance has been shaped by the insights and experiences of bereaved parents. We are deeply grateful for their contributions to this document, which we hope fosters a culture of empathy and thoughtful communication in the care of families facing the unimaginable.”
Dr Michael Mulholland, Honorary Secretary of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said:
“The death of a child is a rarely talked about, deeply traumatic and upsetting event. At the heart there are grieving parents who need care, compassion and support. When a Child Dies: An NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Framework for General Practice provides an essential checklist of actions to take, bolstered by a wealth of practical suggestions and resources.
“This framework will help GPs to support parents through devastating grief while also looking to support themselves through the process. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside have produced a resource that will help GPs and thereby help the patients they serve. We would encourage all to read and adapt for their own local settings.”
GP practices across Cheshire and Merseyside are now being encouraged to review the guidance, engage with their staff and consider appointing a practice lead for child death to promote awareness and facilitate further training.
The framework can be found on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website.
Child Death Awareness Week has been launched this year by the Alder Centre to amplify the variety of needs and complexities for those affected by the death of a child. For more information and support, visit the Alder Hey website.