Stillbirth Foundation Australia and the Centre for Research Excellence in Stillbirth (Stillbirth CRE) have announced new research funding to better support parents touched by stillbirth.
The $40,000 grant will be awarded to the Mater Research Institute at the University of Queensland to develop a parent-version of the national clinical guidelines on care around the time of stillbirth and neonatal death to assist parents and their health care providers in ensuring optimal individualised care.
Stillbirth Foundation Australia CEO, Kate Lynch, said the funding will work to better support families touched by stillbirth.
“With six children stillborn every day in Australia, further research to improve quality of care for pregnant women and to more effectively support families is urgently needed,” Ms Lynch said.
“Tragically, the stillbirth toll currently far exceeds the road toll and it should be treated with the same seriousness.
“Stillbirth leaves a lasting impact on families and far more needs to be done to better families immediately after a stillbirth occurs.
“There is too much inconsistency of care across jurisdictions and a lack of clear, consistent information provided to families.
“This research will work to change this and ensure there are guidelines and structures in place to better support families going through stillbirth.
“This research is only possible because of the extraordinary efforts of the Foundation’s supporters, who give up their time to raise funds to invest into research priorities.
“These are often people who have been touched by stillbirth themselves, and are devoting time, effort and money to stop it from happening to others.”
Director of the Stillbirth CRE, Professor Vicki Flenady, said the grant represents a collaborative approach to addressing stillbirth research priorities.
“This funding is vitally important in addressing stillbirth research priorities in Australia and highlights the leading partnership between the Stillbirth CRE and Stillbirth Foundation,” Professor Flenady said.
“By working collaboratively with research organisations across the country we can bring the best people together to ensure more healthy births and better support for families.”
To find out more about Stillbirth Foundation Australia visit: www.stillbirthfoundation.org.au
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