Frimley Park Hospital’s first dedicated area for supporting families through all types of bereavement has officially opened.*

Situated to the left of the main hospital entrance, just before reception, the suite is ‘home’ to the hospital’s bereavement team who coordinate the care of our patients after their death and support families through the bereavement process. This new suite contains an office where doctors and medical examiners can work but, most importantly, there is also a dedicated room where relatives can discuss the loss of their loved one in a private and calm setting.  

The team have been based in various locations throughout the hospital and is delighted to have a dedicated base. After supporting 1,155 bereaved families so far this year, Brie Palethorpe, medical examiners officer, said; “It’s been a long time coming. It’s so important to have a dedicated area for relatives to be able to talk through their feelings with our team and to find out more when there has been a sudden death. The fact that they no longer have to walk through the hospital to speak to the team means that difficult ward memories can be avoided.”  

Tracey Coulson, head of patient safety, said: “Dealing with bereaved families is a skill, a passion and a privilege. All the team are really passionate about providing high quality care for those who are left behind, which can include family who are abroad. Our role is to support those whose loved ones have died in any circumstance. However, the need for our services is heightened in cases of sudden tragic deaths and the deaths of children.  

“Our new bereavement suite can only add to their experience, allowing our teams to develop and support families in the best way they can at the saddest times of their lives.” 

The bereavement suite was opened by Brie and Alistair Smith, head of emergency preparedness resilience and response, on Monday with the patient safety team, Chief Executive Neil Dardis, Medical Director Dr Tim Ho and Chief of Nursing and Midwifery Lorna Wilkinson also attending. 

Alistair, who was instrumental in supporting the team in developing the suite following a family tragedy, also helped conceive the idea of a ‘possession box’ that can be given to relatives once a patient has passed, containing all the items that they had with them in hospital. The final design of the box will be decided shortly. 

Lorna told the team: “The fact that you’ve supported as many families as you have is a testament to your care and compassion. Thank you to all of you for the service that you provide and the work you’ve done to get to this opening.” 

*Both Frimley Park Hospital and Wexham Park Hospital's maternity wards have their own specialist bereavement suites to support families experiencing loss.