A woman who claims she was denied a certificate which recognises her pregnancy loss because she now lives in Wales has said she is “so disappointed” after being turned down.
Eleanor London had two miscarriages while living in England but told CJS News she has been told she is not eligible for the UK Government’s new baby loss certificate scheme because she has a Welsh address.
All parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy while living in England can apply for a certificate which formally recognises their loss. The UK Government says more than 50,000 people have already received this under the new scheme.
There is currently no similar scheme that exists in Wales.
Eleanor told CJS News, “I had my first miscarriage at 37. I was 13 or 14 weeks pregnant, and when we had the scan there was a foetus but there was no heartbeat, and it was really, really devastating.”
Eleanor said she thought the certificates were a “good idea” so decided to apply, but soon realised she could not continue with the application using her Welsh address, despite experiencing the losses in England.
“I was just so disappointed, at the age of 70, I just felt, well, that’s it, that’s my last chance”, Eleanor told CJS News.
“I have baby boxes for my two children where I’ve put little locks of their hair, their first tooth, and things like that. But you have nothing for the others, and I thought that’s all I would want,” she added.
The certificates were introduced in England in February this year. The then Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said losing a baby “can be a hugely traumatic event” and described the scheme as a “positive step towards better supporting women and parents affected.”
A petition calling for baby loss certificates to be given in Wales has had more than 700 signatures earlier this year.
Eleanor said, “People in Wales are disadvantaged compared to those in England.”
“I am not an overly emotional person, and as you get older you learn to deal with it, but it’s one thing in my life I wish could be put right, because it’s part of me, it’s part of who I am.”
In response to the petition, Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in Wales, said he recognised “that baby loss at any stage of pregnancy is incredibly distressing,” and added “officials are working closely with their UK Government counterparts to explore how this scheme could be extended to Wales.”
England’s Department of Health and Social Care has declined to comment.
The pregnancy and baby loss charity Sands have said “We’re sorry to hear that a bereaved parent has not been able to get a Baby Loss Certificate having since moved to Wales. We understand that having an official physical recognition that their baby existed and lived is really important to many bereaved parents and families, and can be an important part of their bereavement journey.”
The charity added anyone not eligible for the government scheme can apply for a free commemorative birth certificate on their website wherever they live in the UK.
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