Thank you for reaching out to me regarding the very important issue of miscarriage, especially regarding its inclusion in the Governments Women’s Health Strategy.

I completely agree that for too long women’s health and specifically miscarriages have not been taken seriously enough. It is vital that we start normalising discussion around women’s health. The current lack of education, awareness and medical research dismisses women and our health problems. It tells us that our pain is less important, and that our fertility is irrelevant.

Recently I supported the Paid Miscarriage Bill which sought to extended the statutory bereavement leave to those losing a child before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

To lose a child is an appalling tragedy, at no matter what stage it happens. No parent should then have to suffer further due to a lack of sympathy and support from their employer. I believe statutory bereavement leave should be available to parents experiencing miscarriage so that they too can have time off to grieve and am more than happy to support this campaign.

Therefore I wrote write to the Secretary of State for Health on your behalf. Please see a copy below:

Thank you again for contacting me about this important matter and I can assure you that I will continue to urge the Government to take urgent action.