Infant loss is a devastating life event, around 80 families per year in the Sydney Local Health District experience stillbirth or neonatal death with a lack of community support.
The Sydney Stillbirth Study used data from bereaved families and demonstrated the need for family hospital follow up including being seen for longer, in a space not near pregnant women and the need for specialised bereavement support.
Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL’s donation opened the multidisciplinary clinic to support families. The iSAIL clinic offers integrated service and care, meaning families avoid returning to hospital on multiple occasions. The clinic offers a full team for coordinated appointments.
Community organisations and services are available, including SIDSandKIDS, Stillbirth Foundation Australia, Art Therapy workshop and in-hospital support.
The program and service has received $6,500 in donations and positive media attention. We hope the service will improve issues for families including for their mental health and return to work.
