A health board in Scotland is set to become the first in the UK to fully roll out an innovative medical device intended to provide “greater care and dignity” to those experiencing miscarriage.
The rollout – beginning this year – will see miscarrying women in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) hospitals able to take home a miscarriage collection cradle, giving them a respectful way to manage their loss at home.
The device, which is designed to fit beneath a toilet seat, provides an alternative to surgery and helps preserve pregnancy tissue for genetic testing, which could offer insights into the cause of the miscarriage.
It was designed by a team at Dignity Care, whose founder Laura Corcoran said she was inspired to create it after experiencing her own pregnancy loss.
The former NHS engineer said: “When I experienced miscarriage at home, I faced an incredibly difficult situation without the right support.
“That deeply personal experience led me to design something that could help others navigate the practical and emotional challenges with greater care and dignity.”
The cradle can be used at home or in hospital.
With features intended to reduce contamination and distress, it replaces a process that many families have previously experienced in facilities not designed for this purpose.
Ms Corcoran added: “Our aim is to ensure people feel cared for, respected and supported at one of the most difficult moments they may face.”
Dignity Care will work alongside NHS laboratories to assess whether the use of the collection cradle improves the quality of genetic samples collected compared with obtaining them through surgery.
If successful, it could increase the success rate of testing without the need for surgery and help families gain insight into the causes of miscarriage.
Nikki Harvey, lead nurse gynaecology and early pregnancy at NHSGGC, said: “We understand how upsetting a miscarriage can be for many women and we have processes in place to ensure they feel supported when this happens to them.
“We’re pleased to be gradually introducing the collection cradle, offering it to women where it is clinically appropriate, starting with the Royal Alexandra Hospital and then into our other sites.”
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An independent health economic report suggested the device could save between £6.7m and £11.2m annually, freeing up an estimated 7,300 to 12,000 surgery slots.
Research shows one in three women experiencing pregnancy loss attend A&E, yet one in five are turned away without treatment – indicating many families need compassionate support and practical guidance as much as clinical intervention.
The rollout will begin at the Royal Maternity Unit before moving on to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.
While a small number of hospitals have used the device elsewhere in the UK, Glasgow’s commitment represents the first full integration across multiple hospital sites, with guaranteed access for eligible patients over the coming year.
The move is supported by £1.5m in Scottish government funding.
