False to actual practice ( not suggested best practice) and laws ie. Coroners Post Mortem, Religious and Cultural Belief, Funeral Directors, Teachers were contributed by ie. Coroner, and various Cultural Groups, Teachers etc. Matters referring to anything medical was contributed by the various Professionals in their field of expertise. Hours of conversations, typing and formatting were spent, a full document was produced before the Book went to print and sent out to over 300 Professionals and to various Schools and Colleges to include Royal College of Surgeons School of Nursing- Trinity College, School of Chaplain Clinical Pastoral Care, Archdiocese of Dublin, and St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College to name a few, for their comments, suggestions criticisms. We had almost a 100% response, which was incredible, which leads me to believe that the climate is now right for a publication such as this. In general there was great feedback and encouragement about the draft and the necessity for a publication of this sort. Our thanks to everyone who took the time to read through the draft and make useful and insightful comments. Adjustments were made to incorporate the suggestions where appropriate and necessary. It was beginning to take shape!! Now a few photos - we had the image for the cover, which says it all. Given to us some years ago by Kate Horgan a professional photographer to be used for a special project, well we saved it for the best impact it could have. It is a truly beautiful photograph of Kate holding her daughter Romy’s foot. It really say’s it all in a moment of time. Thank you to Kate for sharing her daughter with us and allowing us to use this incredible image to case this work. The book also includes other beautiful and meaningful photographs and images. The photographs were all set up and taken by Olive Ann Smith. They say what they need to say in a very sensitive way and our thanks to Olive Ann for seeing what we needed her to see so that she could make them happen, our thanks also to all the models! Visually this is a beautiful book and it makes a difficult subject ‘ user friendly’ and that is what we need it to be if it is to be effective. My thanks to Michael McGarry in Vision Print for his valuable advise in producing this quality publication and Dermot O’Connor for his expertise in the formatting and production of the Book. This book breaks new ground in all areas. There are no other publications which have been written in this manner anywhere. This publication came about because the climate was right and it being the right time for everyone to be open about this topic. We are eternally grateful to all the Professionals and others that were interested in being part of this publication. It was an incredible journey of searching and finding. Thank you for your willingness to share your experience, expertise, insight with us in a very honest, frank and compassionate way. Time will tell if it makes a difference and I believe it will, what we need to remember is that we need to see this publication as a ‘ work in progress’. In time more changes will come about or new ways of looking at this whole are of care will happen and this book, we hope will move with those changes. Thank you to all the parents and families who were also part of this publication. You and your children’s short lives continues to make a difference. For me it has created yet another bookmark in my life and my journey. I am so very proud of my part and role in it and very grateful to have brought the project to fruition. Ron Smith- Murphy National Chairperson, ISANDS Very Rev. Desmond Harman It was with the great sadness I learned of the death of the Very Rev. Desmond Harman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, who attended the Launch of the Guidelines of Professionals and died suddenly just before Christmas. We express our deepest sympathy to Dean Harman’s wife, Sue and his family. The news of Dean Harman’s sudden passing has caused great sadness throughout the Church of Ireland. We offer our condolences to the The Archbishop of Dublin, the Very Rev. John Neil and the extended Church of Ireland community. Ron Smith- Murphy isands newsletter 25

False The launch of ISANDS Guidelines for Professionals On the 14th November 2007, Ms. Mary Harney T. D., Minister for Health & Children offi cially launched the ISANDS Guidelines for Professionals. The Coach House in Dublin Castle created the atmosphere for another memorable bookmark in the history of this organisation, the launch of the Professional Book. Minister Harney mentioned the importance of this publication and the role it will play at a very diffi cult time. Ms. Harney acknowledged the role of all the Professionals and others who contributed to the Book and ISANDS for their continued dedication to the needs of bereaved families. Dr. Fin Breatnach, retired Consultant Paediatric Oncologist in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin was our guest speaker and spoke about the role good communication can play in this area or care. He said “ in my opinion all Professionals should read this publication. If I had it over 40 years ago when I was starting out as a young doctor it would have saved me getting it wrong when I did.” The launch was attended by many of the Professionals who contributed to the Book. We would like to thank Minister Harney, and Dr. Fin Breatnach for being with us and for their encouraging and supportive words about the book and the work of ISANDS. Our thanks also to the the staff in the Coach House, Dublin Castle. Ron Smith- Murphy, Dr. Fin Breatnach, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist ( retired) Minister Mary Harney, T. D., Minister for Health & Children isands newsletter 26