Gynae team

A bereavement room has opened on the gynaecology ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for women and their families who have experienced a pregnancy loss.

The room, separate to the busy gynaecology ward, is available for women to spend some time, quietly and privately, before returning home. This environment offers a peaceful place for bereaved families to collect their thoughts.

Staff on the gynaecology ward care for patients in the early stages of their pregnancy. The bereavement room will offer a vital haven for those suffering from ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, or any other form of loss during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Cathy Garlick, Divisional Director of Operations for women’s and children’s services said: “The bereavement room is a great new resource that offers dignity, privacy and confidentiality for patients and their families who are going through a pregnancy loss.”

Mr Sam Agwu, Clinical Director for women’s services said: “It is a really important place for anybody going through pregnancy loss as at this time, emotions can be extremely high, so to have this facility on the ward allows the patients to feel like they are in a more homely environment.”

Lisa Ventura, Founder of the Everlasting Footprints Support Group, said: “This is a much needed space for women and their families to have time alone and grieve for a pregnancy loss.  After the stillbirth of my son Frankie in November 2013 I suffered an early miscarriage in May 2014 and was placed on a ward with other pregnant ladies, which just compounded the sadness of the loss I was experiencing even further.  I would have welcomed being able to use a space of this nature when I suffered my miscarriage.”

– See more at: http://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/news/space-to-breathe-created-for-families-experiencing-pregnancy-loss