Bereavement midwives shortlisted for national award
A team of midwives have been shortlisted for a prestigious Royal College of Midwives award for their excellence in bereavement care.
The team based at Basildon Hospital, known as the Lullaby Team, is made up of three bereavement specialist midwives, Sian Ness, Beth Towsey and Debbie Olajugbagbe.
It’s their job to make sure that every family who experience the death of their baby feels surrounded by comfort, compassion and support through their journey.
Sian said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. The real reward for us is the feedback we have received regarding our care from bereaved families, support groups and charities and seeing the difference the team has made to people at a hugely difficult time.”
That care includes making sure each family have their own bereavement specialist midwife who helps families with any funeral arrangements for their baby and continual support after their funeral with home visits.
The team are also there to listen to women who wish to discuss the circumstances around their loss, helping create a specialist care plan for any future planned pregnancies.
They have also created a helpful support booklet for families, with details of charities offering ongoing support and counselling.
The team will find out if they have won the prestigious award at the end of October.