A local NHS trust is appealing to families who have a plaque in the Little Angels garden of remembrance on the University Hospital of North Durham site, to contact them to discuss plans to move the garden. Plaques are placed in the garden in memory of a baby who has died.
Jo Crawford, head of midwifery at the Trust, explains, “Our plans for a much needed expansion of the emergency department at University Hospital of North Durham involve building an extension to the front of the existing department which will enhance the care and experience our patients receive. The current department is now managing more than double the number of patients it was built to care for on an annual basis. We are very limited for space on the existing site and the extension plans have been carefully considered. Unfortunately, the garden of remembrance for babies who have died is currently located within the affected area and we have therefore had to make the difficult decision to relocate the garden to allow for the expansion plans. We fully appreciate and recognise that this is a very sensitive project and are committed to working together with local families and our local communities.
“We understand that moving the garden may be distressing for some families as we know it brings comfort to many of those who have experienced the devastation of losing a baby. There are plaques dedicated to individual babies that have been put up in the existing garden over the years and we intend to move these to the new garden and we are also discussing transferring a significant amount of topsoil, as we know some families have scattered ashes in the garden. While we have identified a space for the garden to be relocated, plans are not finalised. In recent weeks, we have met with affected families and are grateful to them for meeting with us and for the chance to listen to and involve them in creating a new space where many can continue to find comfort in remembering their little ones.”
If anyone wishes to know more about the garden, or share views, please contact Paula Brennan, our patient experience manager: paulabrennan@nhs.net or 0800 783 5774. More information about the engagement events and some of the themes and views emerging from the families to date on the trust’s website: County Durham and Darlington – Update on plans to move the baby memorial garden at University Hospital of North Durham (cddft.nhs.uk)