New Bereavement Suite Opens at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

Parents coming to terms with stillborn and neo-natal loss can now receive support at a new Bereavement Suite in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

The ‘Butterfly Suite’, which opened on March 17th, provides a private, homely space outside of the hospital’s maternity ward for bereaved parents to be able to grieve the death of their baby.

Parents also have access to a ‘cold cot’ if they wish, so they can spend time with their baby in the room and create memories.

The suite has no set visiting times so friends and family can visit whenever they like. Parents can stay in the suite for as long as they need and there are no restrictions on visitor numbers.

Rebecca Phillips and Paul Jones, a couple from Oswestry used the room after receiving the devastating news during their 20 week scan that their baby’s heart had stopped beating.

Rebecca said: “We were told his heart had stopped at the scan. We were then brought to the suite to spend some time getting used to the news.

“We left the room as I had to deliver him and then we returned afterwards so we could have a few days with our baby boy Leigh.

“In that short time, using the suite gave us memories with Leigh that we will treasure for life. We wouldn’t have had them without being able to use the room. We took lots of pictures and now have a photo album of our memories with him.

“We had lots of cuddles but he was very small so the cuddle cot really helped. We put lots of items we had bought in the cot with him.”

Rebecca added: “So many people have gone through an experience like this and they are ok. Since this happened to us, I’ve spoken to others who have suffered a loss like this and taken comfort from that. It doesn’t get easier but you learn to live with it, people’s lives carry on and our lives will do too.

“I am so grateful for all the work that the hospital and staff do and being able to use the room meant everything to us. To be able to have that time with Leigh was so important. We were treated with respect and kindness and it has really helped.”

Lucy Dobbins, Labour Ward Sister for bereaved parents said it is ‘vital to give mothers a designated private space of their own’.

“It is so helpful for the women who have had stillbirths to have the choice of using the suite which means they don’t have to walk through the ward and see other new mothers who are really happy and able to take their baby home,” said Lucy.

“The room we have now is less clinical and more like a home from home where women feel more relaxed and protected. The feedback from parents who have used the suite so far has been that it gives them great comfort.

“They can do lots of the things new parents do like bathe their baby and dress their baby, and there is a double bed so partners can stay over.”

Staff at the Maternity Bereavement Suite

The Butterfly Suite was funded by Wrexham Sands who are part of UK Sands, a charity helping parents cope with stillbirth and neonatal deaths.

Gill Harris, Director of Nursing added: “This room is an important development to support those going through a bereavement like this and having such a very, very difficult time.

“We are really grateful to Sands for their support in enabling this to happen. This facility will help us to provide the best support to families who experience this life changing and devastating loss.”

Heather Jane Coombs, Welsh Network Co-ordinator for Sands said: “The room is wonderful, it’s fantastic to see it through from the development stages and then come back to witness the end result. Wrexham Sands have done an amazing job.

“The room has been fully funded and wouldn’t have been possible without the fundraising of family and friends of the Wrexham group.

“It makes such a huge difference to parents, things like having a double bed and being able to have a cuddle when you need it is very important during a situation like this. If every hospital could have a bereavement room and a facility like this it would be wonderful.”