About the Perinatal Post-mortem Consent programme
Welcome to this elearning resource on taking consent for a perinatal post-mortem. Losing a baby is a most difficult time for parents. It can be challenging for health professionals to support parents adequately at this time of intense grief. Health professionals may find discussing a post-mortem with families particularly difficult. This elearning resource has been developed to support professionals who may find themselves in this situation.
The resource aims to improve health professionals’ knowledge and confidence while speaking to parents. This will enable parents to make a well informed decision. There are additional resources available for parents which can be viewed through the Sands website https://www.sands.org.uk/
Aims and Ambitions:
All content within this elearning module has been mapped against the learning outcomes stipulated by the HTA and Sands for perinatal post-mortem consent training. Upon completion of the elearning package professionals who will be obtaining perinatal post-mortem consent will:
- Understand the law and legal requirements in England and Wales
- Understand the benefits, both present and future, for the bereaved family of having a post-mortem investigation
- Be proficient with the process of taking consent for a hospital post-mortem
- Explain what happens at a post-mortem examination and the options available to parents
- Understand the importance of sensitive communication skills.
How learners will benefit from doing this course
This interactive elearning package has been developed to support healthcare professionals who are required to discuss perinatal post-mortem consent with bereaved families. Other healthcare professionals who come into contact with bereaved parents, and are involved in supporting them in this difficult time, may also find it useful.
Who it’s aimed at
E-learning package designed to meet the learning objectives of health professionals including:
- Midwives
- Obstetric registrars and consultants
- Neonatal nurses
- Advanced neonatal nurse practitioners (ANNPs)
- Bereavement teams
- Paediatric registrars and consultants
- Neonatal registrars and consultants
Course content
- Duration – 225 minutes or 3 ¾ hours
- Assessment (if relevant)
-
Core Content
Core Content
Taking Consent for a peri-natal postmortem (Core content)
This section reviews the legal and ethical requirements and the process of a perinatal post-mortem examination. We also reiterate the importance of sensitive communication
- Introduction
- Law and legal requirements
- The process of Peri-natal Post Mortem
- Communication Skills
- Conclusion & Acknowledgements
-
Optional Content
Optional Content
Taking Consent for a peri-natal postmortem (Optional content)
This section contains some optional information that may be useful to healthcare professionals especially when dealing with specific scenarios such as sudden unexpected death in infants and neonatal organ donation. There are additional resources available, which may be suitable for some parents. These can be accessed via the Sands website.
- Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infants
- Neonatal Organ Donation
- Parents Section
- Acknowledgements
Meet the team
Dr Asha Shenvi
Consultant Neonatologist, University Hospital of North Midlands
Jo Cookson
Neonatal / Midwifery Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University. Practice Educator, West Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Pete Lonsdale
Learning Technology Manager, Lead for Technology Enhanced Learning Development and Online Programme Support, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University
Jen Plested
External Project Coordinator, Hee elearning for healthcare
Clair Guy
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
In order to access the Perinatal Post-mortem Consent programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Perinatal Post-mortem Consent programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Perinatal Post-mortem Consent programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.