Public Health Nurses can avail of up-to-date information and
advice on the procedures required and practical guidelines to
assist them in supporting the family involved by phoning the
'Information Hotline for Professionals'
at
087-423777
(available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
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The Superintendent Public Health Nurse should ensure that all the Public
Health Nurses in the area are fully aware of the facts , as well as the
myths, about SIDS. Nursing Staff's specific skills training in active
listening and in how to break bad news and cope with its impact on parents
and family are particularly appropriate in caring for a SIDS family.
- When notification of a sudden infant death in your area is made,
arrange for the relevant Public Health Nurse to visit the parents
as soon as possible.
- Always refer to the child by his/her name and acknowledge the reality
of the child's death to the family.
- If parents choose to take the child home prior to the funeral, advise
parents about the care their child will need at home. (Appendix C)
- Arrange to visit the family at least twice each day until the
funeral. Offer advice to parents about the practical procedures
that need to be carried out contacting funeral undertaker etc.
- Parents may have little financial resources available to them to
cover the funeral and burial costs - ensure that the necessary resources
are mobilised for them.
- Reassure the family that the resolution of grief may take a long
time. Follow up with visits for a reasonable period. It would be best
if you liaise with the Family Doctor on this. Often you may be faced
with intense emotions and it is very important to be able to sit and
enable the family to cry or otherwise express these emotions in your
presence.
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- Parents will value your ongoing support throughout the grieving
period and may particularly appreciate acknowledgement of their child's
birthday and anniversary.
- Children are also always affected by a death in the family and need
special care and attention (see ISIDA's booklet 'A Precious Past,
A Hopeful Future' section 'Children and Grief'). If contact takes
place with the family prior to the funeral, encourage them not to
exclude any siblings from the funeral ritual. Let parents know about
common grief reactions in children, which may include behavioural
changes, regression, panic, anxiety, aggression, guilt and fear. Children
may even feel frightened and guilty that their jealous thoughts caused
their brother or sister to die.
- Ensure that the school teachers of any siblings are aware of the
child's death and liaise with them closely.
- Provide parents/family with a copy of the booklet 'A Precious
Past, A Hopeful Future' (available from ISIDA). Ask the parents/family
if they would like to speak to a SIDS parent. You can arrange this
by phoning ISIDA's Nationwide Support Helpline, and/or give the parents
the number 1850 391 391.
- If, in time, parents decide to have another child, extra support
and understanding will be needed. Ensure that the Maternity Hospital/Obstetrician
is aware of the previous child's death.
- Ensure that all records are updated so that no appointment for the
deceased child is arranged.
Remember that the sudden death of an infant or young child normally
affects all who come into contact with it. If you feel that
you would like to talk to someone, ISIDA provides a confidential
Nationwide Helpline 1800 391 391
where you can contact someone who understands and is willing
to listen - you do not have to be a parent or relative.
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