Maternity bereavement suite enhancements give comfort to families

Grieving families will be supported by Blackpool Teaching Hospital’s bereavement team in a newly-updated facility thanks to the generosity of local fundraisers and businesses.

As an extension to the updated Maternity Swan Bereavement Suite, there is now a secluded outdoor patio area and dedicated parking space at the hospital so that families can enter and exit the bereavement suite without having to walk through the main hospital and can spend time together in privacy. 

The outdoor space is fully enclosed, with a rain canopy, sofa and bespoke planters that will withstand colder weather. Its private entrance leads to the nearby parking space for ease of access.

The improvements have been led by specialist maternity bereavement midwife, Laura Walsh who has been working behind the scenes completing a project that offers further comfort and privacy to patients at a difficult time.

Laura oversaw the development of the area herself and thanks to the assistance of Atlas, the Trust’s estates and facilities partner, and generous support of local businesses and charities, the work is now complete and is being used by families.

Many local families have donated to the bereavement fund at Blue Skies, the Trust’s charity, and some of this money has helped towards funding the Maternity Swan Suite.  A number of other local businesses and charities have also donated materials and services to see it all come to fruition.  These include: Sands, Remembering Rufus, Sustainable Talent Ltd, A&G Precision, Austin Walmsley Ltd, Barton Grange, D&G Builders, Box Brothers and FWP Ltd.

Laura said “The project has been ongoing for three years and I’m so grateful for the support of the Trust, Atlas, Blue Skies and all of the other charities and businesses who have helped through donations and support. Even the design work was donated by the architects at FWP Ltd, people have been so kind. Losing a baby is a loss like no other and often the only memories families’ have, are of their time spent in hospital. Having this space enables us to provide the care, comfort and privacy that families need at the most devastating time of their lives. I’d like to thank everyone for all they’ve done to help us get this project completed”.