NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is inviting all bereaved parents and families who have suffered pregnancy loss or loss of a baby to visit one of its five maternity sites to collect a candle to light on Sunday, 15th October 2023 at 7pm for #waveoflight2023.
This candle is to remember all babies who have gone too soon, and Sunday will mark the final day of Baby Loss Awareness Week that runs from Monday, 9th October 2023.
This week is an opportunity to bring bereaved parents together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.
Candles can be collected from the following NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde sites throughout the week of 9th October 2023:
- Princess Royal Maternity, Level 4, Chapel
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Sanctuary
- Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, Sanctuary
- Vale of Leven hospital, Ground Floor, Chapel
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Level E, Sanctuary
In addition to providing candles at its maternity sites, NHG Greater Glasgow and Clyde will also have spiritual care teams available for support to parents throughout this emotional week. Leaflets with their contact details will be provided with the candles supplied.
This activity is just one of many being implemented by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for bereaved parents. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is among the second wave of health boards within Scotland to implement the National Bereavement Care Pathways (Scotland) which aim to improve bereavement care for parents after pregnancy or baby loss. This work is led by the Director of Midwifery, Dr Mary Ross-Davie. Mary said, “Improving the support we give to parents who experience a pregnancy or baby loss has been a key priority for me since I took up my role last year.”
Playing an integral part in the implementation of this is the Maternity Bereavement Team Midwives, as part of the maternity team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Rhonda Hendry, Eilisha Coyle and Lindsay Canavan provide care and support for families cared for at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital following pregnancy and baby loss and are paving the way to roll out teams like this across other NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde maternity sites.
Rhonda explained why her team and support like this is so important for families. “Any parent that loses a baby is supported during the miscarriage or labour process and there are calming bereavement rooms where mothers can physically recover and, where relevant, spend time with their baby. Having a Bereavement Midwife or Team extends this care. It means that this support can continue following the loss, giving parents a single point of contact for when they are at home. A Bereavement Midwife will check in on them, answer postnatal questions, and help them process results that they might receive,” she said.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Maternity has five Bereavement Rooms across its maternity sites with plans for refurbishing those at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital underway and to be completed in 2024.
Anyone needing additional support during Baby Loss Awareness Week and beyond can also seek support via the following services:
- https://www.sands.org.uk
- https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
- https://www.arc-uk.org
- https://ectopic.org.uk
- https://www.childbereavementuk.org
- https://babylossretreat.org.uk
- https://scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Ends
