New bereavement suite for families whose babies are stillborn opens at City Hospital

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The opening of the bereavement suite at City Hospital

A new bereavement suite has opened at Nottingham City Hospital for families whose babies are stillborn thanks to an affected family’s fundraising efforts.

Michelle and Rachel Daniels, founders of baby loss charity Forever Stars, helped to raise funds for the suite after experiencing stillbirth themselves.

The couple began to fundraise for the QMC serenity suite after their daughter Emily was stillborn at the hospital in 2013 and have also helped for the one opened at City Hospital on Friday (December 8).

They said: “To see the second serenity suite open in December is particularly poignant, as this month will see us remember the fourth birthday of our daughter Emily.

“Also, it not only means both of the major Nottingham hospitals now have a suite to support bereaved families but also because it sees Forever Stars develop as a charity, creating a legacy for babies that were lost too soon.”

The new serenity suite was developed by the charity with support from Sands, Simba (Local Commons Funds) and Nottingham University Hospitals’ (NUH) Midwifery Council.

Staff from maternity services at NUH, the Trust which runs the QMC and City Hospital, have worked with Forever Stars to improve the facilities and training for staff in bereavement services.

Bereavement midwife Christa Burgess said: “I am very proud to be able to offer families a dedicated bereavement suite at both campuses.

“Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy is a very traumatic experience, so to be able to offer families the use of the serenity suites is so important.

“Families can spend time with their baby, make precious memories and begin to grieve their loss while being supported by the midwives, chaplains and bereavement staff.”

Head of midwifery Joy Payne praised Forever Stars’ contribution to the hospitals.

She said: “For most parents having a baby is the most special time in their life but tragically for some parents their babies die before they are born or shortly after birth.

“The loss of a baby has a tremendous impact on the family’s life.

“We are so fortunate in Nottingham to have the support of Richard and Michelle, which enables us to provide facilities for parents in this most significant time in their lives.”