EXCLUSIVE: Mum 'heartbroken' over delayed baby loss unit in Wishaw General

An East Kilbride mum is exclusively telling Clyde News she has been "left in the dark" by health bosses about the progress of a baby loss unit which was meant to open last October.

Louise Caldwell started the campaign to see a new ward opened in Wishaw General Hospital in Lanarkshire after having her own experience of baby loss.

Louise has gone through three miscarriages with her partner and had to deliver her stillborn child in a ward surrounded by new parents and expectant families.

The loss she endured pushed her to start the campaign and launch a petition which amassed more than 30,000 signatures, on behalf of bereaved parents across the region.

The petition called for a dedicated baby loss suite to be set up within Wishaw General, where parents who go through loss can have privacy.

No ward opened yet

In July of last year, Louise was told at a meeting with NHS Lanarkshire bosses that a specialist baby loss suite would be opened by October 2022.

The suite would be away from the labour ward, although it would be in the maternity unit for safety reasons and access to specialist medical care.

But the area would have its own entrance and plans also include two further rooms where women will have the choice for them and their families to spend their full journey.

However - no such ward has opened.

'It's not fair'

Louise is exclusively telling Clyde News that it is heart breaking not knowing when the facility will be up and running.

She said: "It's not fair on the women who need this unit, and who need it now.

"Women are saying 'please don't make my daughter have to go into the labour ward', and it's awful for me to have to type back: 'It's not opened yet'.

"The rooms were ready to go, they were looking great, everything was in and working.

"The only little thing that had to be sorted was a couch."

'I think it's disgraceful'

Louise added: "I think it's disgraceful that these women have had hope that this unit is ready and yet here we are in the summer of 2023 and it's not opened yet.

"They're still having to use the labour ward, and that's not right.

"It's horrible and I hate the ups and downs.

"I hate going from being so thrilled and so happy, to frustrated, upset and angry, to not knowing what's happening and not knowing what to say to people.

"It's not fair - it's not fair on me at all."

NHS Lanarkshire response

A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said: "We can confirm that due to a number of issues the unit has been delayed longer than we had anticipated and we are extremely sorry for the delay.

“However, the majority of the works have been completed, including soundproofing and we are working with patient representatives on the decoration and soft furnishings.

"We will make a public announcement once the work is completed and the suite is operational.”

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.

• Wishaw General Hospital