New study investigates impact of death of infant sibling on children

Peace-innocent-kids Via Flickr

New research published this week in The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine examines the impact the death of a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can have on a sibling. 

'Loss in the NICU: Sibling Matters' by Sanders, Robinson & Carter outlines a methodology including a scripted intervew and facial expression rating adapted from the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale  

While the authors detail difficulty in  accessing the full identified cohort for interview the study does highlight the lack of research on the impact of the loss of a child in the NICU on siblings and indicate avenues for further study.   

Abstract for the study is available HERE and copies are available on request from the Irish Hospice Foundation Library 

Interview on ICBN on John Murray show

Nuala Harmey, bereavement support social worker with Temple Street children's hospital and Geraldine Parsons who lost her two brothers at the age of ten appeared on the John Murray show this morning (July 24th)

Geraldine and Nuala discuss the long term impact of a bereavement in childhood and the importance of support for children following a bereavement

You can listen back to the interview HERE     

Interview with Dr Susan Delaney on Irish Childhood Bereavement Network

Dr Susan Delaney, Bereavement Services Manager Irish Hospice Foundation

If you would like to learn more about the aims of the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network you can listen to a short interview with Dr Susan Delaney, bereavement services manager at the Irish Hospice Foundation HERE    

Minister Frances Fitzgerald Launches the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network

L-R Sharon Foley, CEO Irish Hospice Foundation, Dr Susan Delaney, bereavement services manager Irish Hospice Foundation and Minister Frances Fitzgerald at the launch   

Minister Frances Fitzgerald has today launched the new Irish Childhood Bereavement Network in the offices of the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Speaking at the launch Minister Fitzgerald said the Network ''offers Ireland an opportunity to change the way it approaches childhood grief and could make a significant difference in facilitating the delivery of  appropriate resources for each grieving child.” 

View pictures of the launch HERE


The scoping study for the network undertaken by Dr Kathy Mc Loughlin highlighted the importance of bridging gaps in children's bereavement services and finding ways for service providers to share information and knowledge. The launch document, outlining the aims and objectives of the network can be viewed below 
   

Open publication

Professionals working in children's bereavement support are invited to subscribe to this blog for updates on the network and to register their interest.   

The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) will be launched by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald on July 23rd in the Irish Hospice Foundation offices, Nassau st.

Anyone wishing to attend or to join the network can subscribe to the blog for further updates on developments