Plans for baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland pass final Assembly stage

By David Young, PA

Plans to introduce baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland have passed their final Assembly stage.

The Bill will now go for royal assent, with the scheme set to be introduced in the first few months of next year.

The certificates will offer a form of recognition for parents who lose babies in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Finance minister John O’Dowd, whose department took the Bill forward, welcomed its progress.

“I want to pay tribute to all the baby loss support organisations who have campaigned tirelessly for the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme and to commend the bravery of all of those who have spoken out and responded to our recent consultation,” he said.

“I welcome the support of the Assembly in acting on the powerful testimony families have given and in passing this important Bill which aims to support people at one of the most difficult and challenging times of their lives.

“It will give bereaved parents and families who have suffered the devastating loss of a baby in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy formal recognition and acknowledgement of their loss.

“The passing of the Bill today brings us closer to the introduction of this scheme, with my intention being that it will be in place by the end of the financial year.”

The Bill will see temporary measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing for the remote registration of deaths and stillbirths and the electronic transfer of registration documents, turned into permanent options.

“For the last five years these temporary powers have enabled registrations to take place remotely,” said Mr O’Dowd.

“This Bill will make permanent the temporary provisions relating to the registration of deaths and stillbirths, easing the burden on grieving family members.”

The legislation also addresses differences in birth and stillbirth registrations processes for same-sex and heterosexual couples who are unmarried and not in a civil partnership.

Mr O’Dowd said same-sex female couples in that position cannot jointly register a birth or stillbirth in the same way as heterosexual couples.

“The provisions in this Bill will ensure that unmarried, non-civil partnered couples have the same choices about how to register a birth or a stillbirth, regardless of whether they are a same-sex or heterosexual couple,” he said.

“This change will fix disparities and remedy our legislation to ensure equality in the registration process.”

The minister added: “As members of the legislative Assembly, our role is to shape legislation that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“The Bill we passed today addresses three important issues that will support many of the people we represent – often at the most challenging moments they face.

“By working together, we have delivered changes that will make a real, lasting and positive difference for our constituents. This is a powerful reminder of the good we can achieve when we unite and work in partnership.”