1 July 2011
The efforts of staff working in St Helier Hospital's maternity unit have resulted in the opening of the 'Poppy Room', a peaceful 'safe haven' for families who have experienced a stillbirth. The Surrey branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) also contributed £1,500 to the cause, which paid for the refurbishment and redecoration work in the room at St Helier Hospital.
Members of midwifery and neonatal staff were joined by representatives from Sands and Trust Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins, who conducted the official opening. The room now boasts artwork, soft furnishings and new lighting in order to create a more homely environment.
Maggie George, a specialist midwife/counsellor at the Trust, was the driving force behind the creation of the Poppy Room. She said: "When I was a student midwife I was struck by the lack of support out there for bereaved mothers. However, when I first suggested a quiet space somewhere on the ward, I received a lot of support from my colleagues."
"It's an unfortunate fact, but stillbirth or the death of a newborn is a reality faced by some parents. It's really important that immediately during and after such an occurrence, families have somewhere calm and tranquil to go, away from the bustle of a hospital.
"I also want to thank my colleagues and Surrey Sands for their continuing support, both with fundraising and for providing such a vital service for bereaved parents."
Lorna Bland, chairman for Surrey Sands, said: "Losing a baby during pregnancy or at the time of birth is a life changing experience for parents.
"In the very short time they have together as a family they need to create memories to last a life time. The environment in which these precious hours are spent impacts significantly on the experience and memories they are left with."
"Sands is run by volunteers who have all lost babies themselves, and we therefore understand this need better than most; in addition, we also provide the long-term aftercare once parents say goodbye to their baby."
Reverend Simon Ellison is a member of the Trust's chaplaincy team and also attended the opening. He said: "We are delighted that St Helier Hospital now has this wonderful facility for those parents who, sadly, lose their babies.
"The grief that parents suffer lives with them for their whole lives. By providing this space, I hope that we are able to help in some way to make it less painful for them in the months and years to come.
"We also hold an annual non-denominational memorial service for babies and young children on the first Sunday of October at a local church, to which everyone is welcome."
Anyone affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or shortly after can contact the Sands National helpline on 07817 410075 for support.
