Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023 is a week-long event dedicated to increase support and awareness on pregnancy and infant loss. It provides a platform for individuals and families to share their experiences, raise awareness, and offer support to one another. During this week, various activities and initiatives are organized to promote open conversations about baby loss and to ensure that those affected receive the support they need.
To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th to 15th October 2023) there are events available at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and King’s College Hospital – Denmark Hill (DH) sites.
Sunday 8th October
Annual Baby Loss memorial service ‘Time to Remember’ 14.30 (approx. 45 minutes) followed by refreshments. Holy Innocents Church, Strickland Way, Orpington, BR6 9UE
Monday 9th October
Protected chapel time, 14:30 – 15:30 (both PRUH and Denmark Hill chapels). Quiet reflection, add a note/name to our memory tree, light a candle. Open to staff, visitors and general public.
Tuesday 10th October
- Baby loss awareness stall and bake sale – Denmark Hill Golden Jubilee Wing, 10am -2pm
- Protected chapel time, 14:30 – 15:30 (both PRUH and Denmark Hill chapels). Quiet reflection, add a note/name to our memory tree, light a candle. Open to staff, visitors and general public.
Wednesday 11th October
- Baby Loss awareness stall and bake sale – PRUH. Entrance to restaurant – South wing PRUH, 10am- 2pm
- Protected chapel time, 14:30 – 15:30 (both PRUH and DH chapels). Quiet reflection, add a note/name to our memory tree, light a candle. Open to staff, visitors and general public.
Thursday 12th October 2023
Protected chapel time, 14:30 – 15:30 (both PRUH and DH chapels). Quiet reflection, add a note/name to our memory tree, light a candle. Open to staff, visitors and general public
Friday 13th October 2023
Protected chapel time, 14:30 – 15:30 (both PRUH and DH chapels). Quiet reflection, add a note/name to our memory tree, light a candle. Open to staff, visitors and general public.
Sunday 15th October 2023
Walk of light in Ruskin Park – Denmark Hill site (but open to both PRUH & DH families), 6:15pm – meet at Ruskin park. Walk around the park led by Child bereavement team with candles/glow sticks. Finishing in the Chapel at Denmark Hill for the ‘Wave of Light’ 7-8pm. Refreshments provided.
Sarah Hunts adds: “We recognise that the care and experience that these families have at the time of their loss, shapes the way in which they move forward in their journey. We only get one chance to get it right, and we want it to be right, whatever that looks like for each individual experiencing a loss. We recognise that bereaved parents still have the same level of love and pride as a parent with a living child and we want to celebrate their children, guiding them through and helping to create precious memories and mementos of their babies that they can treasure always. It is a real honour to work with bereaved families and to be trusted to care for their precious little ones.”
Erin Fung, Chair of the PRUH Maternity Voices Partnership, is increasing awareness of maternity services and patient feedback. Erin explains: ‘The Maternity Voices Partnership is an NHS working group of women, birthing people and their families, commissioners and maternity service staff, collaborating to review and develop local maternity care. Our purpose is to represent those using the hospital’s services and to work with the NHS to improve care and your experiences, and ensure your voice is heard. To get involved or submit feedback on your experiences at the Princess Royal University Hospital, visit this page“.
*Termination for medical reasons