University Hospital Kerry Unveils the Snowdrop Room
University Hospital Kerry (UHK) is proud to introduce the “Snowdrop Room” in its Maternity Department, a dedicated space for parents coping with the loss of a pregnancy or perinatal death. This compassionate initiative aligns with HSE National Standards for Bereavement Care and offers a private sanctuary for bereaved parents.
Designed with the utmost care, the Snowdrop Room provides a serene, sensitive, and private space for parents who have experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy loss. It exemplifies UHK’s Values personified by the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing comfort and dignity during these challenging moments in life.
The room’s development included valuable input from bereaved parents themselves, ensuring it meets their unique needs. This heartfelt endeavour has resulted in a quiet, respectful space where parents can connect with healthcare professionals to navigate their journey of loss.
Carrie Dillon, Clinical Midwife Specialist at UHK outlined “During the process, we found it very beneficial to hear the thoughts and opinions of bereaved parents and to recognise and understand what they needed from such a space. We are also extremely grateful to the bereaved parents who turned their own experience of pregnancy loss into an opportunity to fundraise for this invaluable sensitive space within our Maternity Services.”
The official opening of the Snowdrop Room is especially poignant as it precedes Baby Loss Awareness Week, observed from October 9th to 15th. UHK stands beside families during this significant week, offering a Service of Remembrance to acknowledge and remember those touched by loss.
The “Snowdrop Room” project was a collaborative effort, driven by the Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement and the UHK Bereavement Committee which includes a patient representative. We at UHK are very grateful for the funding of this project which was made possible through the National Women and Infants Health Programme as well as the fundraising donations received from bereaved parents.
UHK’s Service of Remembrance for Parents and their families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, fetal anomaly, stillbirth or neonatal death. The service takes place on Monday 9th of October at 7pm in the Hospital Chapel of Christ the Healer – all are welcome to attend.
