An economic evaluation of specialist counselling after baby loss
Nick O’Shea
There can be few more tragic and distressing circumstances to face in life than the loss of a baby.
Life after loss is an economic evaluation of the baby loss charity Petals, which provides counselling to women who have experienced the death of a baby and their partners. The evaluation calculates that national provision of counselling to 4,822 mothers would cost £3.17m per annum, which would create a national safety-net of support to help parents at this immensely difficult time. No such service currently operates across England and Wales.
The report highlights that specialist baby loss counselling is inexpensive, effective and reduces government expenditure. This is a rare instance where fiscal prudence and compassion converge.
