Creating a Place for Privacy, Dignity and Compassion
In 2022, The Hillingdon Hospitals Charity delivered its largest fundraising project to date: the Ocean Pearl Suite, the Trust's first dedicated maternity bereavement suite.
For families experiencing the devastating loss of a baby, the traditional labour ward can be an incredibly difficult environment. Parents may find themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of new life while coping with unimaginable grief.
Every year, thousands of families across the UK experience the loss of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. While nothing can remove that pain, the environment in which families receive care can make a significant difference to their experience.
The Charity worked alongside the Trust to create a purpose-built space that would offer privacy, dignity and compassionate care for bereaved families. Thanks to the generosity of community groups, individual supporters and corporate donors, more than £250,000 was raised to help bring the project to life.
The Ocean Pearl Suite was designed to provide a calm and peaceful environment away from the busy labour ward. The dedicated facility includes private delivery rooms, family spaces, counselling facilities and access to outdoor gardens, allowing families to spend precious time together and create lasting memories of their baby.
This project demonstrated the power of charitable giving to transform care beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. Today, the Ocean Pearl Suite continues to support families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.