Sarah Collins of First Touch NNU in Tooting on how they mark Baby Loss Awareness Week and how they look out for siblings of babies at the neonatal unit. 

October 9th to 15th is Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time for bereaved parents and families across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives, to break the silence around baby loss, and to ensure that all bereaved parents in the UK get the best possible care. St George's will be holding the annual Neonatal Memorial Service on Sunday October 13th from 3pm in the Spiritual Care Centre. As always, we are proud to fund this important occasion for families to come together to remember the brief and precious lives of their babies.

The neonatal team has been nominated for a national award for the outstanding bereavement care it offers to families, and First Touch is pleased to be able to pay for five members of the nursing staff to attend The Butterfly Awards ceremony in Warwickshire on October 19th.

First Touch also has a commitment to looking out for the siblings of babies at the neonatal unit. We have launched a scheme where we are giving a bag of goodies to every sibling, to make them feel special and to help occupy the time they are at the neonatal unit visiting their poorly brother or sister. The lovely bags are designed by Rob Ingle, and contain age appropriate reading books, colouring books, pencils, games, treats and a First Touch teddy known as Georgie Bear. We have been able to fund these thanks to a generous donation from Willington School in Wimbledon.

It can be tough and confusing for siblings when they find themselves with a premature baby brother or sister, and with parents who are spending a lot of time at St George's Hospital. We hope that these little bags and presents will help make the older brothers and sisters realise that although we are looking after their family's new baby we haven't forgotten them. We also supply juices, hot chocolate, fruit, biscuits and raisins for their parents to give to them in our Family Rooms.

Thank you to all our donors who enable us to help families through difficult times. We know that the mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all grateful for your kindness and support.


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