OC13 - Parents' support needs during and following the death of their baby.

UNLABELLED Theme: Complex health care and chronic disease management. INTRODUCTION Support for bereaved parents after the death of a baby in the neonatal period is variable in the UK. AIM To explore parents' experiences and perceptions of support needs during and following the death of their baby. METHODS An interpretative phenomenological study using unstructured interviews was undertaken. Analysis was undertaken using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS Parental grief journeys are complicated by events experienced at the end of their baby's life. A variety of support systems are needed to facilitate parental grief journeys. DISCUSSION The variation in availability of support for parents after a neonatal death needs addressing. Whilst parental need is individualised, most parents need support in some format. CONCLUSIONS Health professionals have a key role to play in supporting parents and signposting other supportive mechanisms after a neonatal death.