A new bereavement suite has opened within the Maternity Unit at Daisy Hill Hospital.
Staff Midwife Aine Cunningham raised over £15,000 earlier this year towards the development in memory of her baby boy Eoghan who was born sleeping.
SANDs – Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity – also passed on £15,000 from a number of local organisations and local contractor Felix O’Hare & Co contributed in kind.
Every week in Northern Ireland, four babies are stillborn or die in the first four weeks of their life.
Thanks to the very generous donations, the Willow Suite has been developed within the Delivery Suite to offer parents greater privacy during such a difficult time.
It includes a delivery room, en suite and kitchenette.
Marking the opening of the Willow Suite, Joanne McGlade, Lead Midwife for Daisy Hill Hospital said: “Work is ongoing across the UK to try to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths which are so distressing for families and the staff involved.
“Our Maternity, Bereavement, and Chaplaincy teams work with charities like SANDS to practically and emotionally support families following the loss of a baby.
“The opening of the Willow Suite is a very welcome addition to our service and hopefully will help to bring some comfort to families during such a tragic time.
“Mothers will be able to give birth in our dedicated delivery room and spend as much time with their babies as they need to make memories.
“The adjoining en suite and kitchenette facilities offer greater privacy and space to bring visitors in if they wish.
“We would like to thank SANDS, Aine who has taken the time following her own loss, Felix O’Hare & Co and all those others who have so generously donated to offer this support.”
For more information and advice following the loss of a baby www.sandsni.org
