New bereavement suite opens at Scunthorpe General Hospital

A new maternity bereavement suite has opened at Scunthorpe General Hospital thanks to the support of the official hospital charity The Health Tree Foundation (HTF).

The suite costing over £170,00 is situated on central delivery suite (CDS) has been created to allow a safe heaven for bereaved parents and their families to spend time together with their baby after it has sadly passed away.

HTF launched the maternity bereavement suite in 2016 which set out to raise £150,000 to create the specialist suite on CDS. The suite allows parents to stay for as long as they need, with a double bedroom, kitchenette, family area and bathroom facilities, which mean they will be able to have a private area to all spend time together ad a family and reduces the risk of being confronted with other deliveries and new babies.

The room has been funded thanks to the general members of the public who have all helped to fundraise for the suite via HTF. The charity was awarded an SSE grant of £22,500 toward the total costings of the room.

The successful bidder to carry out the works on the project were local construction firm Clugstons with Day Architects as the main design team.

CDS ward manager Jane Stoney said: “I am delighted that the maternity bereavement suite on  central delivery suite is now completed. It is a peaceful sanctuary for families to use should they be unfortunate to lose a baby. It will allow them precious time to make memories with their little one in a protected environment.

“The delivery suite has dreamed of an area like this for many years and now with thanks to every individual and business who have helped us to fund raise we have a suite to be proud of. Its use will always be bittersweet but we hope it will bring some comfort to families that use it in the future”.


HTF community champion Hayley Thompson said: “I would like to personally thank everyone who has made this appeal a huge success! It is thanks to the commited team on CDS, NHS team. bereaved parents and the community of North Lincolnshire that this is been made possible”.

“To be able to have a safe haven for parents to build the memories with their baby is so important and being in a comfortable environment will ensure they have every chance possible to make the memories which will last a life time.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible”.

Clugston Business Unit Manager Nick Franklin said: ‘’As a local Company we recognise the excellent work done by the care teams to support families during difficult times.  We are therefore pleased to have played a part in helping deliver this excellent new facility’’

If you would like further information on how you can continue to help support bereaved families at Scunthorpe General Hospital, please contact HTF on 03033 304514 or email: hello@healthtreefoundation.org.uk.