University Hospital Wishaw’s Maternity Unit opened its doors to its Bereavement Suite on Saturday 31 August 2019.

The Bereavement suite has been a work in progress for the past few years and its purpose is to provide a peaceful and homely area away from other parents and babies where bereaved mums and dads can spend some quiet time with their child.
Victoria Grove, bereavement specialist midwife, for NHS Lanarkshire said: “We are pleased that the bereavement suite is now open and would like to thank everyone involved, especially those families who have endured a loss and have raised money to this worthwhile cause.

“Providing something like this for families who have experienced the loss of a child is so important to us and we are glad we are now able to offer families a quiet, private space away from the busyness of the labour ward to spend some time with their baby.”

The suite was opened by Mary McGilvary, a retired midwife from NHS Lanarkshire and representatives from Lanarkshire Sands, NHS Lanarkshire and Serco staff and some of the families who had donated money to the Bereavement Suite, were also in attendance and were treated to tea and cakes after the official opening.

Lyn Clyde, chief midwife and operations manager for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We would like to thank all those who attended the opening of our Bereavement Suite. It is good that we can now provide this for parents and we recognise the huge benefits of the Bereavement Suite and the support it gives to families who have suffered a tragic loss.