Bereavement Suite work under way as Trust continues to extend support available to families following baby loss

Work to further improve care offered to families following baby loss has begun at University Hospital in Coventry.

A dedicated space is being built away from the Labour Ward to offer a private, quiet space for grieving mothers, partners and relatives.

The Bereavement Suite will be soundproofed to the highest possible level and can be accessed and exited through a separate entrance.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is funding the work, with funds raised by UHCW Charity supporters used to provide furniture and accessories to make the rooms more comfortable and welcoming.

This new development follows the opening in 2024 of the Dandelion Room, a dedicated room on the Labour Ward for women unable to give birth through midwifery-led care.

Chief Nursing Officer, Tracey Brigstock, said: “We have listened to feedback from patients and know how important this facility will be in us being able to provide the most compassionate care.

“We want to do all we can to support families going through such a traumatic experience and this will allow them more time to spend precious moments with their baby. We are delighted to see all the hard work that has gone in to making this happen coming to fruition.”

Building work is expected to take three to four months but will not disrupt maternity care.

Many families who have suffered their own baby loss have helped to raise funds for items in the rooms such as artwork, sofas and tea and coffee making facilities, as well as contributing ideas and feedback via a working group.

They include UHCW Neonatal Nursery Nurse Emma Fellows, who experienced the grief of losing twins Freddie at 22 weeks and Frankie just 13 days short of his due date.

Together with husband Jordan, they raised £18,000 by climbing Snowdon and hosting other fundraising events.

Ceri Amphlett and Billy Key lost their baby Rufus at UHCW due to a silent placenta abruption and HELLP syndrome, a rare life-threatening condition that can affect pregnant women.

Since then, they have not only raised £25,000 for UHCW but also provided CuddleCots to hospitals across the region

UHCW Charity Director, Jo O’Sullivan, added: “Our Maternity Bereavement Suite supporters have climbed mountains and run marathons to raise these much-needed funds. Their amazing efforts will help other families going through this heartbreaking time.”

• A bereavement support group for anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss at any gestation is run by UHCW in the Faith Centre at University Hospital on the first Tuesday of each month.