Hospital begins face-to-face baby loss support

Face-to-face counselling for families who suffer baby loss is being introduced at a hospital.

James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough has hired its first specialist bereavement counsellor to support families who have experiences the loss of a from the early stages of pregnancy onwards.

Francesca McDougall, who recently started in the role, said the service meant families cared for at the central delivery suite could get support quickly and in-person, or via phone and videocall if they preferred.

"Within my new role, families will be able to access specialist support during one of the most difficult times of their lives, for as long as they need to," she said.

The post was funded through donations from Our Hospitals Charity, the fundraising arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which runs the hospital.

Lisa Meehan, fundraising manager for the charity, said it took about three years for them to reach the £120,000 target.

She said: "We have we have met lots of families who have sadly suffered the loss of a baby and who have been instrumental in helping us to raise enough money to improve our maternity bereavement services."

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