UPDATED 2026

About IMPROVE

The death of a baby is a devastating event for both the families and the health professionals looking after them. In partnership with the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), the Stillbirth CRE has developed IMPROVE – IMproving Perinatal Mortality Review and Outcomes Via Education.

In order to try to answer the questions raised by such deaths, a structured approach is required. IMPROVE face-to-face workshops and eLearning modules are designed to address the educational needs of health professionals involved in maternity and newborn care in managing perinatal death based on the Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death (CASaND) guideline.

This includes supporting healthcare professionals respond to women and families who have experienced stillbirth, conduct perinatal autopsy and mortality reviews, and communicate with bereaved parents.

medical case study file with couple and heartbeat line

Learning topics (launching August 2026)

Introduction to IMPROVE

Perinatal loss care

Practical guidance for perinatal loss care

Memory creation in perinatal loss care

Culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

Culturally responsive care for migrant and refugee families

Investigations of perinatal death

Placental examination and documentation following perinatal death

Examination of babies who die in the perinatal period

Perinatal autopsy: Understanding the process and communicating with parents

Perinatal mortality audit and classification

Perinatal palliative care

Early Pregnancy Loss

Care in Subsequent Pregnancies

Conclusion of IMPROVE

Workshops

About the Workshops

The IMPROVE face-to-face workshop is designed to address the educational needs of health professionals in maternity and newborn care settings caring for bereaved families after pregnancy and baby loss.

Based on the Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death (CASaND) guideline.
Small groups of learners rotating around interactive learning stations.
Facilitated by expert educators experienced in maternity and newborn care
Designed for midwives, obstetricians, nurses, neonatologists, social workers, pathologists, GP’s and more!

Participant feedback

"Such a great workshop. Have learnt so much and will apply a lot of the skills and knowledge to my practice."

woman presenting to seated audience in conference room

"I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and feel as though it is very informative in relaying important information around loss, bereavement and caring for women and their families."

group of people standing around a table with sticky notes

"Amazing course- everyone should have to do it as part of their introduction to working as a midwife. Highly recommend."

group of people around a table with medical supplies

"Excellent and very informative day. Highly recommend it to my colleagues."

group of people sitting around a table with papers

REQUEST A WORKSHOP AT YOUR SERVICE

More information

For more information about attending or hosting a workshop or becoming an educator, please email improve@mater.uq.edu.au.

eLearning

The image shows a person using a laptop displaying a webpage titled "Perinatal mortality audit and classification." The page features an illustration of a healthcare professional holding a clipboard. Below the title, there is a section of text providing information about perinatal mortality audits and classifications. The person is also holding a pen and writing in a notebook on the table beside the laptop.

IMPROVE eLearning is an online training package of 15 learning topics designed to support healthcare professionals provide care for women and families who have experienced stillbirth and baby loss, conduct perinatal mortality investigations and reviews, and communicate with bereaved parents.   

The IMPROVE eLearning course has an accredited learning time of 7.5 hours, available to claim through your CPD provider. The course provides essential training, clinical recommendations and guidelines, and care pathways for clinicians working in maternity and newborn care.

The expanded IMPROVE program launched in August 2026.

Enrol now