Work has begun on the creation of a purpose-built baby bereavement suite at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.
The funding for the suite was raised through the Lost Little Ones Appeal, which was launched by Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity in 2019.
And part of the development has been funded by Robertson Construction, which is currently working on several projects at the site and is assisting with the provision of the new suite.
The facility will enable bereaved parents to stay with their baby in a comfortable, non-clinical environment.
The suite will also have an outside space where families can relax in the fresh air and spend quiet time together away from the labour ward.
Emma Robertson, MCH Charity manager, said: “When we launched the appeal in September 2019, we were overwhelmed by the support we received from our local communities who donated and fundraised for the appeal. We had to pause all fundraising when the COVID-19 pandemic started, but we were able to restart towards the end of 2020 and had reached our £100,000 target by early 2021.
“The design that the maternity team had created was coming in over budget and we were literally going to have to go back to the drawing board to scale down the design. That’s when Robertson Construction got involved and along with its supply chain offered a solution to meet the aspirations of the maternity team.
“This has meant we can have everything on the wish-list, which has just blown us away.”
Beth Santangeli, senior business development manager at Robertson North West, added: “One of our aims is to leave a lasting legacy associated with the projects that we undertake, and when we understood the significant impact our support would have for this project, we were more than happy to become involved.
“A number of our colleagues understand first-hand the importance of this suite and the difference that it will make to families and the maternity team at the hospital and we are proud to be able to support the trust this way.”
