08 October 2024

York Hospital will show its support for Baby Loss Awareness Week this October by once again turning the lights on the hospital blue and pink, to help highlight the emotional impact of pregnancy and baby loss.

The annual awareness week (9-15 October), now in its 22nd year, is an opportunity for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss, and their families and friends to unite with others across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives and lost pregnancies.

There are around 50 families a year who will sadly suffer the loss of their baby at York Hospital.  A new maternity bereavement unit, the Butterfly Suite, opened last year at York Hospital thanks to the support of local people and a generous donation from the York branch of the stillbirth and neonatal charity, Sands.

An appeal was launched by York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity to raise £250,000 to create the Butterfly Suite, opening with a £94,672 donation from Sands.  It received huge support from the local community and hospital staff, reaching its target despite the pandemic.  The suite has a private courtyard garden especially designed for bereaved families.  The space gives families the best possible experience at one of the worst times of their lives.

Bev Shelley, Maternity Bereavement Midwife, at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We hope turning the hospital pink and blue will spark conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.  The Butterfly Suite is a tranquil private space and has been welcomed by families and hospital staff.

“Pregnancy loss or the death of a baby is a tragedy that affects thousands of people every year.  It is devastating for parents and families and it’s vital they get the bereavement support and care they need, for as long as they need it.

She added: “Parents tell us how important it is that they find a way to remember their baby in a way that suits them. Some join with others at special services organised by their local hospital or a local support organisation, some find solace in events organised by their faith community while others will remember alone in a way unique to them.”

Baby Loss Awareness week culminates on 15 October with the global ‘Wave of Light’ when families across the world are invited to light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning to remember all babies who have died too soon.

The bereavement team will be organising an additional wave of light event on Saturday 12 October meeting at 6pm on the North Bay Beach in Scarborough to light candles at 7pm. All families and friends affected by baby loss are invited to join them and light their own candles in memory of their baby.

Families have an opportunity to light a candle in memory of their baby. The lighting of the candles will be held on 10 October between 12.30 pm -1.30 pm in York Hospital Chapel and between 12pm – 2pm at Scarborough Hospital Chapel.