Call for National Child Bereavement Registry

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine secured a debate in Parliament which she used to call on the UK Government to introduce a child bereavement registry.

There is currently no mechanism to record when children are bereaved, or where they are, meaning that charities and organisations who want to reach out and offer support are not able to.

The Liberal Democrat MP, who has personal experience of the issue, has spoken to a number of charities locally and recently met the Children's Minister to push for progress on creating a network.

Christine said:

“I know there is genuine support in Parliament  for doing something more to help children who are bereaved and it's just a matter of finding a way.

“Charities and schools do an amazing job in supporting the children that they know about, but it's heart-breaking that we just do not know how many children are affected every day by the death of a parent, carer or sibling to offer them or their families help and advice.

“We should be able to set up some sort of means of recording when a death affects a child. We record so many other things and are able to provide data that this should not be beyond our wits to create, perhaps simply with an administrative change.

“I know first-hand the pain of losing a parent. This trauma stays with you throughout your life and, therefore, I am determined to ensure that any child suffering is recognised and supported.

“That is why I am calling on the Government to set up a national register. We must have the structure in place to provide support for young people, as soon as they need it. If we do that, we can offer immediate reassurance and maybe save them from years of pain.

“This is not political, it’s personal. It is an issue that can affect everyone and therefore I am grateful for the endorsements from all sides of the political spectrum for this campaign.”