According to nationally published data, there are as many as 441* miscarriages, stillbirths and neonatal deaths each day in the UK.  Each loss is devastating, which is why the work of Hull Hospital’s Early Pregnancy Unit and Maternity Bereavement Team, who offer support to families experiencing miscarriage, medical complications, still birth and neonatal death, is so important.

WISHH, the official charity of Hull Hospitals is launching a new appeal to raise £100,000 to enhance the bereavement facilities within Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

The appeal will see the refurbishment of the bereavement suite used by in excess of 100 families over the past 12 months, enabling families to make memories with their precious baby in a peaceful and tranquil area.  Funds raised will also support the renovation of six quiet rooms, and improve the entrance and exit to the Early Pregnancy Unit, to reduce the number of encounters families have with other expectant parents and new born babies.

Nothing can take the pain away for families following pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death soon after birth. Families who find themselves in the tragic situation of losing an unborn baby over 14 weeks’ gestation are offered the use of the bereavement suite facilities to spend time and create precious memories with their baby.  For those who find themselves in this heart-breaking position, spending time in a tranquil, comfortable and homely environment, whilst receiving sensitive support from the bereavement team, can make all the difference.

Quote from Cobie’s parents:

“If someone would have told us the day we went into hospital that we would be coming home without our baby, I would have never believed what they were saying.  However, one of the things that made this horrific experience a little bit easier was being able to spend a few days with our little boy in the bereavement suite, and all the memories we were able to make with him.

“The memories we made whilst in the hospital are something we will hold close forever, since we cannot hold our little boy.  Our angel baby lives on in our memories.  The photos, memory boxes, hand and foot castings are something we will treasure forever, and all of this was provided for us as a family whilst we were in the bereavement suite.”

Ainsley Belton, Bereavement Midwife said, “As a team, we always try to make people feel as best cared for as possible with a compassionate and empathetic approach.  Through the WISHH Baby Loss Appeal, funds raised will improve the current bereavement facilities, enabling us to take our patients and their families into a well thought out, calming space in their darkest of times, which will help us tremendously.  Having the opportunity for the parents to make memories with their baby is a privilege to us as a team.

Ainsley, Jenna and Sam from the Maternity Bereavement Team

The refurbished Bereavement Suite will be a self-contained home-from-home area, including a bedroom, living area, clinical room, catering and bathroom facilities, where parents can stay after birth to make memories with their baby.  The facilities will be soundproofed so families don’t hear crying babies and labouring women.  To minimise the amount of encounters bereaved families have with others, the Early Pregnancy Unit will have its own dedicated entrance and exit, which will allow parents using the bereavement suite to utilise.”

Families currently receive news about the loss of their babies through a number of different teams and services including gynaecology, maternity or neonatal services in the Women and Children’s Hospital. The bereavement team want to offer all bereaved parents the same experience delivered in suitable, sensitively designed surroundings. The improvement of the six quiet rooms throughout the hospital will allow a safe space for parents to process their news and make decisions regarding their next step with the support of the team.

Sue Lockwood, Chair of the WISHH Charity said, “When WISHH was approached by the Maternity Bereavement Team and they explained what they wanted to achieve for mothers at the Women and Children’s Hospital, and why it would make a real difference to parents in their darkest times, Trustees’ had no hesitation in giving our support and launching this WISHH Baby Loss Appeal.

“Improvements to facilities in antenatal care and creating a dignified and calm space where grieving parents can spend precious and private time together with their little one is very much needed, but can only be achieved through our fundraising.  Please help us if you can to make this appeal a success.”

Help support our WISHH Baby Loss Appeal
Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager said, “The WISHH Baby Loss Appeal will support the Bereavement Team help families through these devastating and life-changing times, but the current space which the team are using is tired and in need of a refresh to reflect the care and compassion they provide.

“The difference this appeal will make for families is huge.  You can be part of this project to help us raise £100,000 to enhance the bereavement suite, quiet rooms and facilities within the Early Pregnancy Unit at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital to a place, which will bring comfort to families when they need it most.  If you’d like to become involved in supporting this appeal, from fundraising, making a donation, to funding one of the quiet rooms, please contact Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager on 01482 622299 email lisa.whitton3@nhs.net

Your donations will enable WISHH to improve facilities throughout the Early Pregnancy Unit and the Bereavement Suite, making a real difference to the areas where families receive news and spend time.  The surroundings will feature new furniture, better lighting, calming artwork and much more.  Sensitive soundproofing will also be installed in the delivery suite.”

To make a donation direct to the appeal via Just Giving https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wishh-baby-loss

Donations can be made direct to the appeal using our charity’s BACS, details below:

THE HULL AND EAST YORKSHIRE HOSPITALS HEALTH CHARITY (Known locally as the WISHH Charity)

National Westminster Bank
Sort Code 56-00-06
Account number 29240360
Appeal reference: WISHHBabyLoss

Cheques can be made payable to ‘WISHH Charity’ posted to us at: WISHH Charity, WISHH Baby Loss Appeal, WISHH Office, Entrance 1B, First Floor Admin Block, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, HU16 5JQ.