Upgraded facilities for families who experience baby loss in Moray

The finishing touches on an upgraded maternity bereavement suite in Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin include specially designed artwork by local artist, Stephanie Russell Snyder. The project has been funded by NHS Grampian Charity, as well as charities Sands and MISS.  
 
Investing in the suite is part of NHS Grampian’s commitment to the National Bereavement Care Pathways. With a longstanding commitment to person-centred and trauma informed approaches to supporting pregnancy loss, the health board is part of a Scotland-wide pilot project to improve the care and experiences of women and families. 
 
Marcia Dean, who is based in Elgin, is one of two bereavement specialist midwives who work alongside staff providing clinical care to bereaved families across the Grampian area.

Marcia said: “We are very lucky to have the support of people like Stephanie, who volunteered to provide a specially designed art piece for our walls, as well as local representatives from the Sands and MISS charities. The upgrade vastly improves our bereavement room for families, making it a more friendly and comfortable place to spend time as a family with their baby.” 
 
The design of the facility also takes in some of the carefully thought-out ideas which will feature at The Baird Family Hospital. Its design has been informed by a huge amount of community engagement work, carefully planning the layout and features.   
 
Marcia added: “I worked with our local SANDS and MISS groups who helped us consider what would most benefit our families. It is great the ideas for The Baird could help shape this and we are hugely grateful to both charities who raised £2000 each to fund redecoration of the room, including new furniture and amenities. This allows couples the independence of being able to make a warm drink and snacks when they would like to rather than having to rely on staff.”  
 
After hearing about the Elgin project, local artist, Stephanie Russell Snyder of SFS Art, came forward to offer to paint a special piece for the room, free of charge. 
 
Sands are soon to hold a tea party on the Dr Gray’s Hospital site, in the Mansion House, Elgin on Saturday 21st October from 3pm to 6pm. The event will include a magician, DJ, raffle and pamper tree, and funds will go towards supporting families who experience baby loss. 
 
Tina Megevand from Moray Sands said “We are delighted to see the upgraded bereavement room at Dr Gray’s Hospital and I’d like to thank everyone who donated towards this project. It’s so very important that anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby gets the best possible bereavement care, and be offered a safe, protected space to spend time and make memories with their baby. 
 
“At Sands we want to improve the quality of bereavement care received by all bereaved parents and families. Parents who receive poor care can exacerbate the grief they feel, but good care can and does help them on their painful journey.” 
 
The NHS Grampian bereavement support team continues to benefit from the partnership with both Sands and MISS, keeping in regular contact, sharing ideas and ensuring families have access to support available locally. A partnership with the Archie Child Bereavement Service means siblings can also be referred locally for ongoing support. 
 
All women who suffer a loss at any stage in their pregnancy are offered a private room in Grampian, and ongoing support if they would like this.  
 
For further details of many charities who can support women and families experiencing baby loss, visit: Support for bereaved families – Birth in Grampian (scot.nhs.uk) You can also reach out to NHS Grampian’s bereavement support midwives by emailing gram.bereavementsupportmaternity@nhs.scot