The Ross Gazette’s Charity of the Year for 2018, Rocky-Lees Little Feet, is delighted that a project to improve the bereavement services for baby loss at Hereford County Hospital has been unveiled.

The hospital is looking to expand on the rooms the Ross-based charity has already helped complete. This project is by far the biggest they have been involved with and they are proud to be involved in the planning and design of this project, along with a group of other like minded committed baby loss volunteers and hospital and trust staff.

The number of babies stillborn nationally last year was just over 3,000.

Families affected by a still born birth at Hereford County Hospital are set to benefit after the launch of a major appeal to create a bereavement suite.

The Born Sleeping Appeal will help to fund a suite to give bereaved parents and their families a private sanctuary to use as they come to terms with the loss of their baby.

It will have an en-suite family room to allow partners to stay overnight and other family members to visit in a private setting, and a counselling room.

The new facility will be available to families who lose a baby to stay in after the birth for as long as they wish.

“By creating the suite within the maternity department, we will be able to offer mothers a more comfortable environment,” said lead midwife Helen Price.

“Sadly, the death of a baby may sometimes occur during pregnancy or labour. Such a loss at any stage of pregnancy is devastating for both the mother and the families involved,” added Helen.

“This dedicated suite will provide families with a comfortable environment where they can receive the care and support they need at a time of great difficulty.

“It will allow families to come to terms with their loss at their own pace without the acute pressures of being on a busy delivery suite.”

A bereaved mother has told the Trust: “One of the hardest things was walking out of that maternity suite with nothing but my memory box. You’re walking towards people that are coming in with balloons and new-borns and everyone’s happy to go and see their babies. You look down holding your box, and you just want to have a fireman’s pole to get out of there as quickly as you can.”

Helen added: “This suite, away from the main delivery area and maternity ward, will give those affected by a stillborn birth the privacy and calm surroundings they need to come to terms with their loss.

“It will make a huge difference and we’re hoping that local people will help support the campaign.”

People wanting to donate can do so in a variety of ways: visit https://www.justgiving.com and search The Born Sleeping Appeal - Creating Hereford County Hospital’s Maternity Bereavement Suite.

If you would like to organise your own fundraising event or for further information, please call Katie Farmer at the County Hospital on 01432 364078 or email [email protected]