Work begins on bereavement suite at West Suffolk Hospital

A bereavement room is being created at West Suffolk Hospital to support familes who have suffered the loss of a baby.

The project will see an en-suite bedroom and small office set up in a space currently taken by two offices on the labour suite corridor.

The room will be used by women who have had a miscarriage or medical termination or whose baby is stillborn.

It will mean they can deliver without having the distress of transferring to the labour suite and can also be offered psychological and practical support in calm and comfortable surroundings.

The new room has been paid for with the help £25,000 raised by local people who held a variety of events including a charity ball and sponsored challenges.

Bernadine Bramble, general manager for women and children’s services, said: “The bereavement suite will be carefully decorated, with all medical equipment kept out of sight.”

The work is expected to be completed this spring.