title: OC13 - Parents' support needs during and following the death of their baby.
abstract: Theme: Complex health care and chronic disease management.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Support for bereaved parents after the death of a baby in the neonatal period is variable in the UK.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Salford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnard
keywords: End of life; grief; neonatal; parents; support.