AQW 33496/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health

To ask the Minister of Health to detail how his Department will use data from the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme to inform maternal health policy and service planning.

Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 14 October 2025

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
14 October 2025
Answer due by
29 October 2025
Answered
29 October 202515 days after tabling
Department
Department of Health
Priority question
No

Answer

The Baby Loss Certificate Scheme is being developed by the Department of Finance (DoF). It is not yet known whether the scheme will be suitable for gathering comprehensive data on pregnancy loss.

As participation in the scheme is voluntary, it is unlikely to capture the full extent of pregnancy loss across Northern Ireland. However, my Department will continue to work closely with DoF to support the development of the scheme and to consider its potential role in improving data collection.

Official sources