Work starts on QEH Butterfly Suite
It'll offer support to bereaved parents
Building work to bring a new Maternity Bereavement Suite to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEH) which will provide a dedicated facility to support families who have experienced the tragedy of baby loss is underway.
Named The Butterfly Suite by the community, the facility will provide a dedicated space for bereaved parents who experience this unimaginable loss either during pregnancy or shortly after birth. The quiet and private area will enable parents time to create precious memories with their baby, in a safe and comfortable environment separate from the clinical setting.
The appeal for a Maternity Bereavement Suite at QEH was launched by the Trust in early 2020 and the redevelopment received the go-ahead following funds raised through generous support of the local community and the Trust’s own charity. The unit is due to open this winter. The appeal was further supported by the Lynn News after becoming its Charity of the Year in 2020.
Amanda Price-Davey, QEH’s Head of Midwifery, said:
“Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy is a very traumatic experience, so to be able to offer families the use of The Butterfly Suite from this winter is so important. Families will be able to spend time with their baby, make precious memories and begin to grieve their loss while being supported by the midwives, chaplains and bereavement staff.”
Professor Steve Barnett, QEH Chairman, said:
“The Butterfly Suite will make a positive difference to the experience of our patients and their families who are going through their most difficult time. We know that from feedback from our patients that this space is very much needed, so I’m extremely pleased to see building work commence today which is a significant step forward in our work to further improve the experience of our patients and their families.”