Carers 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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Every year in Ireland a number of sudden infant deaths take place when
children are in the care of professional or voluntary childminders.
Carers need to carry out a number of important duties when a child in
their care dies suddenly and unexpectedly. All carers should be trained
in how to resuscitate a child if he/she stops breathing. This procedure
is best carried out by training trained persons.
- If you think that a child in your care has stoped breathing or may
be dead, a trained person should immediately commence resuscitation.
Phone 999 or the GP and request assistance. Be aware that the Gardaí
may also arrive. Under the Coroner's Act 1962, the Gardaí are
required to notify the Coroner and as the Coroner's agents are required
to inquire into the circumstances of any sudden deaths where the deceased
has not been seen or treated by a doctor within one month prior to
the date of death, or of any death for which a medical certificate
as to the cause of death is not procurable.
- Contact the infant's family mmediately. Advise them that their child
is seriously ill and that you have called an ambulance/doctor. If
the ambulance/doctor wishes to immediately take the child to hospital
and this is before the parents arrive, an adult should (if possible)
accompany the infant on the journey to the hospital.
- When contacting the parents, and if their child has already been
taken to the hospital, let them know which hospital and let the hospital
know of the parents intended arrival. Tell the parents what has happened
and answer any questions they may have. Suggest to the parents that,
if possible, a relative or friend should accompany them on their journey
to the hospital or to your premises.
- Gently explain to any other children in your care that the infant
is not well and that the ambulance/doctor is coming to take care of
him/her. An adult should stay with the other children and continue
their normal daily routine. If possible provide the children with
a separate area in which to play. Answer the children's questions
honestly and simply and reassure them that an adult will be staying
with them until their parents come to collect them.
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- When the parents arrive, immediately bring them to where the child
is/was. Allow them some private time to be with and hold their child.
Explain to the parents that because the child died suddenly and unexpectedly,
the Gardaí may call to visit them and that as the carer you
will be asked some questions. Parents usually want to know the details
of the events surrounding their child's death. Let them know you are
willing to give them all the details and answer any questions they
may have. Be aware that parents may wish to visit you again and again
to go over the events. You may also have to cope with an emotional
outburst from parents so you may need extra support yourself at this
distressing time.
- Ensure that the child's clothes and personal belongings are not
thrown out. Advise the family that they are available for collection
at any time. Do not arrange to have them laundered unless parental
permission is given.
- Keep the area where the child was sleeping (cot, mattress, play
pen, etc.) intact, this may be required by the Gardaí. Do not
discard the bedding and sleeping area (cot, mattress, play pen, etc.)
in which the child was sleeping, this may be required by researchers
at a later date.
- When the other parents arrive to collect their children, privately
explain to them what happened. Discuss their child's reaction to the
infant's death with them and reassure them that you will let them
know of any questions the children may raise in the future.
- Contact ISIDA's National Office and request them to supply you with
copies of their booklet of information on SIDS and bereavement 'A
Precious Past, A Hopeful Future'.Provide all the parents of children
in your care with a copy of this booklet.
- Reassure the children that noone is to blame for the child's death.
- The other children in your care will need an explanation about the
infant's death and the events that took place. How this is done should
first be discussed with their parents. It is very important to give
an explanation that can be built on at a later stage and not answers
that have to be 'unlearned' (see ISIDA's booklet, 'A Precious Past,
A Hopeful Future', section 'Children and Grief'). Be aware that
children's reactions to, and perceptions of, death are dependent on
their age, experience, personality and family circumstances. If a
child's behaviour is a couse for concern, advise the parents
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