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ISIDA Logo National Sudden Infant Death
Model of Care for Professionals
SIDS National Model of Care for Professionals

The key components of the SIDS Model of Care are:

  • provision of quality service.
  • adequate coordination between professionals and the family.

A large number of professionals, representing health, legal and care bodies, provide services to parents when their child dies suddenly and unexpectedly. A diagram outlining one possible sequence of events is available (Appendix B). To address the variety of persons involved, the protocol is divided into the following sections:

  1. Ambulance Personnel
  2. Creches, Nurseries, Childminders
  3. An garda Síochána
  4. Hospital Personnel
    1. Management Personnel
    2. Senior Nurse
    3. A & E Hospital Response Team
    4. Pathologist & Mortician
    5. Hospital Team, on-going care
    6. Social Worker
  5. Community Services
    1. Family Doctor
    2. Public Health Nurse
    3. Community Welfare Officer
    4. Social Worker
  6. Pastoral Carers
  7. Funeral Directors
  8. Maternity Hospitals
  9. Teachers

Many of the Guidelines listed below are applicable to all professions, while some are more specific. It is important that each professional is not only familiar with his/her own area but is also aware of the manner in which other professionals need to provide their particular service.
An ISIDA 'Reference Person', specially trained in the area of Sudden Infant Death information, advice and support, is available to professionals. As soon as a professional is advised of the sudden and unexpected death of an infant, contact can be made with the 'reference person' by phoning the 'Information Hotline for Professionals' at:

087-423777


The death of a child has a profound and distressing effect on everyone involved. Professionals often report that one of the duties which they find most distressing is visiting and caring for the family in the aftermath of a sudden infant death. Professionals may need to talk through their experience with a friend or a colleague. ISIDA's Nationwide Support Helpline service 1800 391 391 is also available to professionals.
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