INCLUSIVE POLICING
Our HR policy now reflects that.” “Officers were being forced to just go off sick. Every force has a compassionate leave policy, but there was no thought on using compassionate leave. There was no understanding of this isn’t just a miscarriage, this is the loss of a baby and should be treated the same way as any other bereavement,” added Zoë who is the Hampshire Police Federation Chair. “We had one officer who said she contacted her line manager after she had a miscarriage and he just told her to phone the sickness reporting line.” They have
loss, and abortion. They are also looking at supporting officers through pregnancies after loss. “When you have had a miscarriage or
a stillbirth, your pregnancy after having experienced that is fraught with anxiety and concern because you think it’s gone wrong before so it will go wrong again,” recalled Rod. Every year the force observes Baby
“Overhauling outdated HR policies, including ensuring miscarriages and early miscarriages are considered as a bereavement, was a priority”
written a policy to guide managers on what to do when an officer or member of staff goes through baby loss. It also became apparent a significant number of officers and staff were experiencing loss through failed fertility treatments such as IVF, so a Fertility Support Group was created. Zoë and Rod discovered officers were using annual leave to attend appointments. By presenting this evidence, they changed HR policy. Now, in certain circumstances, people going through fertility treatment can receive 40 hours paid leave a year. Through listening to families in the support network, knowledge is improved and gaps are being filled, such as support around surrogacy, infertility after
Loss Awareness Week in October. Two years ago a memorial tree at the Netley headquarters was planted and a service held by the force chaplain. Zoë has
shared
good practice with other forces and emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police Service, which has made positive changes, as well as Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. At least 12 forces have implemented this work, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council has produced guidance and recommendations for all 43 forces. “PFEW has been a key part of securing
national guidance and inspiring other forces to adopt the Hampshire model,” explained Zoë. “After my presentation at the Women’s Group, dozens of Fed reps have gone back to their forces and said they need to do something. It’s a strong example of where PFEW is instrumental in creating good practice, then spreading
WHAT IS BABY LOSS? • Fertility complications and infertility
• Miscarriage including ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy
• Termination of pregnancy due to foetal anomalies
• Twins and multiples • Stillbirth • Neonatal death • Sudden and unexpected death of an infant
• Accidental death
SCALE OF PREGNANCY LOSS • In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth
• At least 5,000 pregnancies a year are terminated due to foetal anomalies
• Around 1 in 150 babies are stillborn or die in the first month of life
• Around 13 babies die before, during or soon after birth
• Around 1 in 7 couples are affected by infertility
it all over the country.” “While Zoë and I have been leading on this strategically, it wouldn’t be possible without all of our supporters behind it,” Rod added.
For more information and support, visit
www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support or
www.sands.org.uk/support-you
27 | POLICE | DECEMBER 2022
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