Today, Wednesday 20 November, marks the first anniversary of the opening of the Northern Star Bereavement Suite at the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
Shetland Sands Chair Marie Manson and Midwife Hannah McCluskey snipped the ribbon during the event last year.
The suite is designed for parents who have suffered an early pregnancy loss such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
On the anniversary, Chief Midwife Jacquie Whitaker said: “On the first anniversary of the Northern Star, while we are sad that the suite is needed, we are happy that we are able to provide care in a private and supportive environment. The feedback we have received confirms that we have got the environment right, and this is a testament to the co-design of the suite with Sands, who worked with us to ensure it met the needs of the families who would need to use it.
“We continue to learn and make improvements to the care we provide as we move towards meeting the standards set out in the National Bereavement Care Pathway.”
NHS Shetland worked in partnership with baby loss charity Sands and a parent that had used the service in the past on the project.
The feedback from patients using the room has so far been ‘very positive’ despite it being an emotional time as they found the suite to be private and the staff were supportive.
Another family expressed how lovely the memorial wall was as their baby died a few years ago. They felt placing their baby’s name on the wall to be a great comfort.
Ahead of the anniversary, Shetland Sands said: “The Northern Star is a great asset to the maternity department and has already given many grieving parents comfort.
“We will continue to provide items for the suite to ensure we can make it as comfortable as possible for the parents.
“If anyone would like to place a star on the memorial wall, please email admin@shetlandsands.co.uk
You can read the press release on the opening from last year here – New Bereavement Suite opens at Gilbert Bain Hospital – NHS Shetland
About Sands
Sands is the UK's leading charity working to save babies' lives and support bereaved families. Sands’ vision is a world where fewer babies die and when a baby does die, anyone affected receives the best possible care and support for as long as it is needed.
Sands is here for anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. The charity provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a network of around 100 regional support groups based across the UK and run by trained befrienders.
Sands works in partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards and offers a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they are in the UK.
Sands supports and promotes research to better understand the causes of baby deaths and save babies’ lives. The charity also raises awareness of baby loss and works with governments, key influencers and other stakeholders to make reducing the number of babies dying a priority nationally and locally. www.sands.org.uk