Easing the pain of a tragic loss

Hospital receives special cot

A GROUP of parents who have suffered the heartbreaking loss of a new-born baby have made a special donation to ease the pain for others.

Oldham’s Stillbirth and Neo-natal Death Support Group (SANDS) has donated a £2,600 chiller cot to the Royal Oldham Hospital’s maternity unit.

It means that families who face the trauma in hospital can now have their baby stay with them for as long as they wish.

Andrea Harrop from SANDS said: “The special refrigerated cot allows babies to stay with their families for a longer length of time so that they can say their final goodbyes and make memories to cherish.

“The cot is a beautiful design and looks just like any other piece of furniture in a nursery. Its mechanics are hidden away so that parents will not be caused any distress.”

She added: “Sadly, as a group of parents who have all experienced the tragic loss of our little ones, we hope this will help parents to be able to spend more time with their babies at this very sad time.”

The group raised the money for the cot by organising a 5K run in Heaton Park, a balloon release, and many families donated to the group in memory of their own babies.

Krystyna Waller and Sue Brierley, midwives on the central delivery unit at the Royal Oldham described the cot as a “remarkable piece of equipment,” and thanked the group for the gift which will support parents and families at a sensitive time.