Maternity support worker (MSW) and Royal College of Midwives (RCM) member Racheal Crane spoke movingly at Parliament last week about her personal experience of baby loss and professional expertise in bereavement care.
Racheal, who works at James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth, was invited to speak at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Baby Loss, where she spoke about the development of Max’s Legacy – the award-winning initiative she founded in memory of her son. As part of Max’s Legacy, Racheal took part in the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Scholarship programme, which involved research into baby loss. It led to the creation of a monthly baby loss support group for staff and families.
Her contribution also placed a spotlight on the critical work MSWs undertake to support families through pregnancy and baby loss.
Earlier this year, Racheal was recognised nationally at the Mariposa Awards for her outstanding contribution to bereavement support, after leading significant improvements in care, memory-making opportunities and support pathways for families at her Trust.
Her testimony at the APPG strengthened calls for greater recognition and investment in MSW roles, particularly within bereavement services, to ensure families receive compassionate, consistent care at the most difficult of times.
Speaking after the APPG, Racheal said: “Losing a baby leaves families lost and terrified. My role as a bereavement MSW was to make sure they never face that pain alone. I’ve been there and I know how it feels. Max’s Legacy allowed me to give families what I wish I’d had – someone who truly sees them. To bring Max’s name into Parliament, and to show the impact MSWs and wider maternity staff can have for bereaved parents, means more than I can put into words.”
Due to funding issues, the bereavement MSW role is currently on hold – however Racheal continues to raise awareness of baby loss bereavement care through Max’s Legacy.
Mike Indian, RCM Public Affairs Advisor, attended the APPG. He said: “Racheal’s testimony was incredibly moving – a deeply personal and utterly vital reminder of the compassion, dignity and professionalism MSWs and maternity staff bring to families at their darkest hour. Her work with Max’s Legacy represents the very best of what MSWs offer. We are enormously proud of Racheal, and of all maternity staff who provide care, kindness and continuity when it matters most.
“Racheal’s story and the impact of Max’s Legacy underline the difference that skilled, compassionate MSWs can make to families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.”
The RCM continues to call for greater recognition, investment and development opportunities for maternity workers, including dedicated bereavement roles.
The APPG also heard from other expert speakers and campaigners working to improve maternity, bereavement and perinatal care across the UK. Presentations included a perinatal pathology workforce report from Royal College of Pathologists’ Dr Clair Evans, a campaign update from Katie Wheeler and Jenny Ward, from the Lullaby Trust, under their ‘Campaign for Gigi’ initiative, and a data presentation on growth charts and avoidable infant deaths by The Perinatal Institute’s Emily Butler and MAMA Academy founder Heidi Eldridge. Speakers also addressed the need for equitable care in maternity services, with contributions from Keelie Grindley, Lead Midwife for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at UHNM NHS Trust and founder of Nya Birth Collective.
