For parents who have gone through the traumatic experience of losing their baby, having a safe and comfortable environment is so important.

At Leeds Teaching Hospitals, there are two specialist bereavement suites, the Rosemary Suite at Leeds General Infirmary, and the Snowdrop Suite at St James’s Hospital. Here, midwives care for women and their families who have sadly suffered from pregnancy loss. Patients can include women who have miscarried after 14 weeks, those who have suffered a stillbirth, or babies who have died soon after birth.

The Rosemary Suite at Leeds General Infirmary was refurbished several years ago, giving bereaved families access to a non-clinical, safe and inviting space at the most difficult time of their lives.

Unfortunately, the Snowdrop Suite at St James’s Hospital, was left untouched for many years, so women on the delivery suite here, didn’t benefit from the same comfortable environment.

Thanks to your donations, together, we are addressing the health inequalities these women and their families faced. Earlier this year, we were able to renovate the Snowdrop Suite at St James’s Hospital, which will benefit between 80 to 100 families every year. Now there is access to two bereavement suites across hospital sites, women who have received the devastating news of a loss have a choice of where they attend. 

Before we provided funding to transform the space, there were two small rooms that were not in use. This was largely because they were deemed unsafe in the case of an emergency, as they were unable to fit a bed or trolley through the doorway. This meant that women and their partners had to stay near the delivery suite, hearing the sounds of new-born babies, when they are trying to process the loss of their baby and say goodbye.

Now, thanks to people like you, together, we have transformed the two small and not fit for purpose rooms, into one spacious bright, comfortable and non-clinical space, away from the main labour ward.

The room is complete with a modern ensuite, sofa bed, so that partners can stay by their loved ones side, a TV, a fridge, tea and coffee facilities, large windows with ample natural light, and calming artwork.

Ceri Mowat, Senior Midwife on the Delivery Suite said:

“Our priority is that the women we care for, and their families, have access to the same high standard of care and support whether they are at the LGI or St James’s, especially during an incredibly traumatic time of their lives. Our patients use these rooms throughout their labour, delivery and postnatal hospital journey, making vital precious memories with their babies, so having a comfortable, homely environment is hugely important. I’m delighted that thanks to charity funding, we can help make the hospital experience a little brighter for our patients and their loved ones.”