Following an announcement in November that funding was being made available to improve hospital birthing environments, the Department of Health has now confirmed that around 20 hospitals will receive money to improve their on-site bereavement facilities.

NHS providers were invited to apply for funding to improve the birthing environment in the maternity units that needed it most, so both mothers and fathers, and the staff who work in the units, can benefit from a more pleasant and appropriate environment.  The scheme particularly noted that "funding applications will be encourage for projects to support women and families when things go wrong, for example dedicated accommodation for bereaved families who babies were stillborn or for families whose babies are in special care, high-dependency care or intensive care baby units." 



Hospitals listed below, will now receive funding towards the creation of bereavement suites, or the improvement of current bereavement facilities to ensure parents and families have a comfortable, private space following the death of their baby. Improvements to facilities for parents of babies on neonatal wards are also included.

The funding has been awarded to:



North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

Central Manchester Foundation Trust

East Lancashire Trust

Stockport Foundation Trust

Warrington & Halton Foundation Trust

The Birmingham Women’s NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

South Warwickshire NHS Trust

Walsall Health Care NHS Trust

Wye Valley NHS Trust

Basildon & Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge and University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Peterborough & Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust

Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital

Click here to read the Department of Health’s press release about the new funding awards.