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Death at Birth (video)
Auidmt and Emergm Nu.sing (1993) 1,234-235 Q Longman Group rfyc
BOOK AND VIDEO REVIEWS
Death at Birth (video) By N. Khoner and J. Thomas, Wycombe Health Authority. Obtainable from Jenni Thomas, Special Baby Care Unit, Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2TT, UK. Video package475.00 t E5.00 p & p. Additional copies of the accompanying booklet-E2.00 per copy + 5OP P & P.
‘Death at Birth’ is a ‘two-part training video for health care professionals’ produced by Jenni Thomas of Oxford Regional Health Authority and Bradbury Williams, Surrey Media Services. It is ‘designed to develop understanding and improve practice’ when caring for parents when a baby dies. The video is accompanied by a user’s guide in booklet form. The most striking thing about the whole pack is its clear presentation style. The video cover clearly tells the user that it covers miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and termination for abnormality, and that it is aimed at professionals. The opening of the video is very moving, showing a baby’s coffin in a crematorium. I feel that it is important for professionals to be confronted with such an emotive image at this early stage as it forces them to confront their own feelings about the issue of death at birth. This is significant as the first part of the video looks at feelings of both parents and professionals. Parents express the welldocumented sense that their loss is ignored by the people they come into contact with, non-professionals and professionals alike. The main feelings outlined by professionals are those of guilt and responsibility. Part one of the video gives facts and figures relating incidence and details about the Stillbirth and Neonatal Society (SANDS). The clips where parents are interviewed are invaluable for professionals, as we must listen to parents with previous experience if tYe are to help in future tragedies. In this video the parents say that not being informed about concerns about their babies was very difficult for them. In clinical practice this is one of the hardest things to rectify if things are moving quickly, professionals are unsure of outcomes or
feel uncomfortable sharing information with parents. However, after listening to these parents I feel that we must try to address this issue. Part one of the video concludes with a succinct outline of what parents need at the time of death; these are useful reminders to professionals working with newly bereaved parents. I am sure that Health Care professionals in the community will respond very positively to part two of the video which gives some practical advice about what we can actually do. A bad professional experience of one General Practitioner had led to a practice protocol involving reception and secretarial staff to ensure that newly bereaved parents had immediate client-initiated contact with the doctor. He made the valid point that the emotional needs of the bereaved parents are paramount and the ‘medical needs negligible’. The importance of involving older children in disposal was touched upon. However, I feel that this is such a difficult subject for staff that more discussion than was given in the video is required. The two most valuable things that struck me when I watched this video may seem to be in opposition to one another. The first is that protocol and policies can enable professionals to offer quality care around the time of death. The second is that professionals must allow themselves to be human and share their feelings with bereaved parents. All the professionals involved in the video are of a high calibre and despite the fact that the videos each last only about 15 minutes, the accompanying booklet shows how it can be used in a full day’s training. One big disadvantage (as the booklet explains) is that it does require an experienced facilitator to use it. How many health authorities or Health Care trusts have people trained in this field? Nancy Kohner and Jcnni Thomas may have to set up training programmes for facilitators before pmfessionals can benefit fully from this video. LIZ HAYWARD Accident
and Emergency
Nursing:
A new ap-
proach 2E
M. Walsh Butterworth, Heinemann, Oxford 1989 ISBN O-75064630-4, 32Opp (paperback) E15.95
BOOK AND VIDEO REVIEWS
Death at Birth (video) By N. Khoner and J. Thomas, Wycombe Health Authority. Obtainable from Jenni Thomas, Special Baby Care Unit, Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2TT, UK. Video package475.00 t E5.00 p & p. Additional copies of the accompanying booklet-E2.00 per copy + 5OP P & P.
‘Death at Birth’ is a ‘two-part training video for health care professionals’ produced by Jenni Thomas of Oxford Regional Health Authority and Bradbury Williams, Surrey Media Services. It is ‘designed to develop understanding and improve practice’ when caring for parents when a baby dies. The video is accompanied by a user’s guide in booklet form. The most striking thing about the whole pack is its clear presentation style. The video cover clearly tells the user that it covers miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and termination for abnormality, and that it is aimed at professionals. The opening of the video is very moving, showing a baby’s coffin in a crematorium. I feel that it is important for professionals to be confronted with such an emotive image at this early stage as it forces them to confront their own feelings about the issue of death at birth. This is significant as the first part of the video looks at feelings of both parents and professionals. Parents express the welldocumented sense that their loss is ignored by the people they come into contact with, non-professionals and professionals alike. The main feelings outlined by professionals are those of guilt and responsibility. Part one of the video gives facts and figures relating incidence and details about the Stillbirth and Neonatal Society (SANDS). The clips where parents are interviewed are invaluable for professionals, as we must listen to parents with previous experience if tYe are to help in future tragedies. In this video the parents say that not being informed about concerns about their babies was very difficult for them. In clinical practice this is one of the hardest things to rectify if things are moving quickly, professionals are unsure of outcomes or
feel uncomfortable sharing information with parents. However, after listening to these parents I feel that we must try to address this issue. Part one of the video concludes with a succinct outline of what parents need at the time of death; these are useful reminders to professionals working with newly bereaved parents. I am sure that Health Care professionals in the community will respond very positively to part two of the video which gives some practical advice about what we can actually do. A bad professional experience of one General Practitioner had led to a practice protocol involving reception and secretarial staff to ensure that newly bereaved parents had immediate client-initiated contact with the doctor. He made the valid point that the emotional needs of the bereaved parents are paramount and the ‘medical needs negligible’. The importance of involving older children in disposal was touched upon. However, I feel that this is such a difficult subject for staff that more discussion than was given in the video is required. The two most valuable things that struck me when I watched this video may seem to be in opposition to one another. The first is that protocol and policies can enable professionals to offer quality care around the time of death. The second is that professionals must allow themselves to be human and share their feelings with bereaved parents. All the professionals involved in the video are of a high calibre and despite the fact that the videos each last only about 15 minutes, the accompanying booklet shows how it can be used in a full day’s training. One big disadvantage (as the booklet explains) is that it does require an experienced facilitator to use it. How many health authorities or Health Care trusts have people trained in this field? Nancy Kohner and Jcnni Thomas may have to set up training programmes for facilitators before pmfessionals can benefit fully from this video. LIZ HAYWARD Accident
and Emergency
Nursing:
A new ap-
proach 2E
M. Walsh Butterworth, Heinemann, Oxford 1989 ISBN O-75064630-4, 32Opp (paperback) E15.95