Breaking ground on a new bereavement centre at our Women’s Hospital
Construction on a new standalone pregnancy loss bereavement centre has started at our Women’s Hospital.
A special sod-cutting ceremony took place to mark the start of building work on Woodland House, the first of its kind in a UK hospital setting, which will be a safe haven for families experiencing pregnancy and baby loss at the hospital.
Built within the grounds of our hospital but away from the main building, the centre – which is completely charitably funded - will allow families to grieve in private separate from the hustle and bustle of our busy maternity unit.
Sarah-Jane Marsh CBE, Chief Executive, said: “This is a momentous day for our hospital and we will be eternally grateful to everyone who has donated and allowed us to make our vision for Woodland House a reality.
“As a society, we have been silent on the subject of pregnancy and baby loss for too long and our bereaved families deserve better. Woodland House is a force for change, championing improved bereavement care locally, nationally and internationally, and we are exceptionally proud to be the first hospital in the NHS recognising and honouring loss in this way.”
The centre has been made possible thanks to the amazing efforts of our donors and fundraisers, who have donated £3m to our Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity.
When complete, Woodland House will feature separate and private access from the hospital, boasting bespoke counselling rooms, a private garden, a large communal lounge area for support groups, and a family room with its own private access and garden. It will also have a private and sensitive viewing room for families returning to see their baby, offering families the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones in comfort and serenity.
Alison Rea, senior bereavement midwife at our Women’s Hospital, whose team supports grieving families after a loss, said: “We are delighted that work can begin work on this much-needed bereavement centre. A family’s experience in hospital after such a traumatic event can have a lasting impact on them, and while we can’t change the outcome, Woodland House will give our colleagues the tools needed to provide the best possible aftercare.”
Find out more about the Woodland House Appeal on our Charity website or make a donation online.