External reviews into perinatal deaths are the answer
Myth: External reviews into perinatal deaths are the answer
Many external inquiries into maternity services in Ireland have been carried out over the last 20 years, often after negative media reporting of adverse events in maternity hospitals, including baby deaths. However, inquiry recommendations have not been consistently or entirely implemented (47).
The approach to review of perinatal deaths is not uniform or transparent across maternity units (48). Bereaved parents do not feel their concerns and opinions are being taken into account and they want to contribute to the hospital’s review of their baby’s death (49).
A new, standardised, perinatal death review process and national confidential enquiry has been recommended by both the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (46) and the Health Service Executive National Standards for Bereavement Care (1).
A standardised perinatal mortality review tool and review process may help strengthen perinatal death reviews, provide more information and opportunity for involvement for bereaved parents and help reduce future perinatal deaths, as evidenced in other countries (50–52).
References
(1) Health Service Executive. National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death. Version 2. Dublin: Health Service Executive; 2022. Available from:
(46) San Lazaro Campillo I, Manning E, Corcoran P, Keane J, McKernan J, Greene RA, et al. Perinatal Mortality National Clinical Audit in Ireland Annual Report 2022. Cork: National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; 2024. Available from: /en/media/research/nationalperinatalepidemiologycentre/PerinatalMortalityFormReport2022-3526AW.pdf
(47) Helps Ä, O’Donoghue K, O’Byrne L, Greene R, Leitao S. . Midwifery. 2020;91:102841.
(48) O’Connor E, Helps Ä, Greene R, O’Donoghue K, Leitao S. . Irish Medical Journal. 2025;118(5):P72.
(49) Helps Ä, O’Donoghue K, O’Connell O, Leitao S. . Health Expectations. 2023;26(1):183–98.
(50) Helps Ä, Leitao S, Greene R, O’Donoghue K. . European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2020;250:24–30.
(51) O’Connor E, Helps Ä, Greene R, O’Donoghue K, Leitao S. . Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 2025;53(4):454–66.
(52) O’Connor E, Leitao S, Fogarty AP, Greene R, O’Donoghue K. . Women and Birth. 2024;37(1):88–97.