BABY Loss Awareness Week has been marked this year by West Cumberland Hospital in a very special way.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust marked baby loss awareness by encouraging people to talk and understand the heartbreak that families go through when suffering pregnancy and infant loss.

Throughout the week, bereaved parents, and their families and friends joined with others across the world to commemorate the lives of babies who died during pregnancy, at or soon after birth, and in infancy.

Amanda Kennett, Associate Director of Midwifery at the Trust, said: “We know that losing a baby can be the hardest thing anyone can go through.

At NCIC, we offer a holistic bereavement service to provide emotional and practical support during this challenging time.”

Nurse Joanne Dempsey provides a pivotal link between A&E and the Gynaecology service at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Joanne started working in the Emergency Department 18 months ago after more than five years in gynaecology. She has been devising take home packs for patients with information and advice for women who have sadly lost a baby.

Joanne said: “I provided a competency pack for all staff and individually provided training on basic things to look out for like how patients may be feeling.

“Staff have been provided with some resources to improve the care of patients when tackling this emotional subject.

“I intend to, over a period of time, provide regular training and initiatives for staff to improve care over a range of illnesses surrounding pregnancy.”

The West Cumberland Hospital illuminated some of the ward windows with pink and blue ribbons throughout the week.

The Ward 1 staff held a bake sale at West Cumberland Hospital yesterday, to raise funds for the Miscarriage Association- raising £600 to date.

People were invited last night to light a candle in memory of babies that have been lost.

For more information about baby loss visit https://sands.org.uk/about-sands/our-work/baby-loss-awareness-week-2021

For more information visit: www.ncic.nhs.uk/news/baby-loss-resources.