A BEREAVEMENT suite where parents can spend time with their babies has had a full refurbishment following years of fundraising and hard work by a grieving Old Hall family.

The Butterfly Suite at Warrington Hospital now has two en-suite rooms with cuddle cots, contained kitchens and beds, providing comfort and privacy for families at the most difficult time of their lives.

Kate Tinker and her husband Chris founded Harry & Co in 2010 after losing their son Harry at full-term and have supported the Trust in developing their bereavement facilities.

They used the bereavement suite but noticed that it required more attention to detail to suit the needs of grieving families.

Kate said: "On May 14 2010, our world came crashing around us as my husband Chris and I learned that our baby had no heartbeat following a spontaneous scan due to reduced movements at 40 weeks gestation.

"When I returned to the labour ward to prepare to give birth to Harry, we were shown to the bereavement suite.

"While the bereavement suite was a lovely concept, it became clear that it required closer attention to detail; which is exactly what we have done over the past nine years.

"We invested heavily in the memory making area, so families had something to take away with them as we left the hospital with nothing.

“Following our partnership with Golden Square in 2016/17, we were offered a full refurbishment of the suite, providing two separate suites with en-suite facilities for families whose world falls apart due to the loss of their baby.”

Warrington Guardian:

The Butterfly Suite is part of the hospital's bereavement service, which was singled out in the recent CQC inspection for outstanding practice.

The suite was officially opened by the bishop of Warrington, Rt Rev Beverley Mason, CEO Mel Pickup and chairman, Steve McGuirk together with representatives from Harry & Co, Golden Square Shopping Centre, Assura plc and Sellafield Ltd.

Ms Mason carried out a blessing of the suite and said: “It was a year ago when I was in Warrington Hospital for the announcement of my appointment as bishop of Warrington.

"My very first pastoral situation as a new bishop, was meeting and praying with a lovely young mum whose baby had just died.

“I could only imagine the shock, trauma, bewilderment and utter desolation; having to repeat the hollow words to well-wishers who hadn’t heard, and somehow trying to make sense of the senseless.

"The care and compassion of the nurses and the very kind space that the Butterfly Suite made a real difference.

“I am so thankful for Kate and Chris’s vision for this place and for the imagination, empathy and generosity of many others who have made the opening of this suite possible today.

"It is such a privilege and honour to be invited back, today, for its formal opening.

"May this suite continue to be a kind place and one of hope and immeasurable love and peace to all who come here."

The Golden Square team did more than just raise funds, they also created their own ‘DIY SOS’ team working with suppliers to get all of the fixtures, fittings and the bathrooms that were needed to complete the project.

Warrington Guardian:

The team knocked down walls, built, plumbed, painted and decorated to complete the special place.

Satish Hulikere, clinical director for the women’s and children’s unit, added: “We are very grateful to Harry & Co, Golden Square, the other companies and all the families that have helped make the vision for The Butterfly Suite a reality.

"All our families are able to stay for as long as they wish in the bespoke rooms located in a separate area of our labour ward.

“Parents have the opportunity to spend precious time with their baby in these rooms and the chance to create special memories. "Siblings, family members and friends are all made very welcome."