Key Takeaways
- Health Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a formal apology for the practice of burying stillborn babies in mass graves.
- The practice occurred between the 1930s and 1980s, causing ‘unthinkable pain’ to parents.
- Parents were left in the dark about the burial locations of their babies for decades.
The UK government has formally apologised for a practice that saw stillborn babies buried in mass graves, causing ‘unthinkable pain’ to parents who were left in the dark about the burial locations of their children for decades.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the ‘unthinkable pain’ caused to parents, stating that the practice was a ‘profound apology’.
The apology comes after a long campaign by a Wirral woman and others, who brought to light the issue that had been hidden for over half a century.
During the period between the 1930s and 1980s, stillborn babies were taken from mothers at hospitals and buried in communal graves without the knowledge or consent of the parents.
This practice was widespread and affected numerous families, leaving them with no closure or information about the final resting place of their babies.
The government’s apology is a significant step towards acknowledging the suffering of parents and providing some form of closure.
Campaigners have long sought recognition and an apology from the government, highlighting the need for transparency and respect for the families involved.
The apology is a recognition of the systemic issues that existed within the healthcare system during that period, and a commitment to ensuring such practices do not occur in the future.
