NHS Grampian partners with Sands to design new facility for bereaved families
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
NHS Grampian has revealed how it has worked with a leading pregnancy and baby loss charity to design a suite for bereaved families at a new hospital.
The health board is being supported by Sands to design an environment that is comfortable and compassionate during a time of extreme sadness for families, as it creates the Rubislaw Suite at The Baird Family Hospital.
Designed with a discreet entrance and exit for families, people will have the ability to arrive to the suite directly from the lower ground floor car park, via the lift.
Jayne Forrest, project midwife, said: “We have worked in partnership with Aberdeen Sands from the early stages of the project in 2015, which has been invaluable.
“The design and function of the suite has been considered in detail and we will have a facility that will be supportive and considerate of the needs of families following the loss of a baby.
“One example of the benefits of partnership working includes the design of the outdoor terraces for each of the two bedrooms. These were designed in response to the wishes of parents to take their babies outside. The terraces each provide a private space that will not be overlooked.
“The bedrooms have been designed to be comfortable and include a sofa bed, providing overnight accommodation for partners to stay.”
Those involved in the project were told by families it was important to retain the name of the current Rubislaw Ward, at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. It became Scotland’s first dedicated baby loss ward in the 1993.
Jayne added: “Having worked with Aberdeen Sands over the last eight years we would like to take the opportunity to express our thanks to them and acknowledge the ongoing work they do to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.”
Aberdeen Sands has fundraised to provide enhancements to the facility – including furnishings and art.
The charity is also hosting a community day, in Aberdeen, on Saturday, at Trinity Hall, Trinity Corner, Holburn Street, at 10am.
Project Team members and the Baird artists will be attending to provide project updates and to gather opinions from those attending to inform the art project.
Aberdeen Sands chair, Fiona Donald said: “Working with NHS Grampian on the development of the Rubislaw Suite has ensured that bereaved families come first.
“Collaborating with the project team to make sure there is a discreet entrance to the suite, and working together on the design of the suite, means the suite will provide the best possible experience for bereaved families.
“We look forward to welcoming the project team and the Baird artists to our Community Day on Saturday to talk more about the project with attendees.”
Sands is the UK's leading charity working to save babies' lives and support bereaved families.
Sands’ vision is a world where f ewer babies die and when a baby does die, anyone affected receives the best possible care and support for as long as it is needed.
