King's Lynn hospital's maternity bereavement suite plans have proven to be a success elsewhere
With fundraising plans in place for a new Maternity Bereavement Suite at Lynn’s hospital, inspiration can be taken from a similar facility in Herefordshire.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital hopes to create a dedicated and welcoming place for families from our community who sadly lose their babies either during, or shortly after, birth.
And this cause, voted as the Lynn News Charity of the Year by readers, can look to the example of Hereford County Hospital.
Just like in Lynn, this hospital launched a successful public fundraising campaign which totalled just over £100,000.
As a result of this, the hospital was able to open the suite in July 2019 after the Wye Valley NHS Trust had launched the campaign in December 2017.
Similar to the QEH’s appeal, the Herefordshire Trust identified a need to create a private sanctuary for families as they come to terms with the loss of their baby.
When told about the fundraising plans in Lynn, a spokeswoman for Hereford County Hospital said: “The key was trying to make the unit look as non-clinical as possible whilst ensuring clinical standards were maintained.
“Having a counselling room away from the unit was very important to women and making it feel homely was paramount, so that families could feel at home and that they were comfortable to stay knowing that they weren’t using a ward bed and facilities.
“The response to this has been extremely positive. There have been no negative comments and we invested a great amount of time ensuring that we sought advice from bereaved families as to what was needed and we continue to do this.”
The Hereford hospital’s counselling room provides a general waiting area to ensure that women don’t have to sit amongst expectant mothers in the women’s health outpatients department.
The spokeswoman added: “Women were previously cared for within the existing women’s health setting and would deliver in the standard delivery suite.
“The delivery suite has been enhanced to make for a more holistic setting and is a room directly opposite the overnight facility so the journey is extremely short.
“This dedicated bereavement facility is important to provide a safe, secure and dignified, private sanctuary for women to deliver their baby, grieve and be counselled. The suite can accommodate one family at a time.”
Such criteria resonate with Lynn’s team who want to provide a more homely and soundproof environment for families away from the Waterlily Birth Centre.
To donate to the cause please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/qehmaternitybereavementsuite
