Relocation of the baby memorial garden - University Hospital of North Durham

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, the plans are at an early stage because we would very much welcome a chance to listen to families and involve them in creating a new space where they can continue to find comfort in remembering their little ones.

We are holding two engagement sessions on Thursday 26^th January at 5.30pm and Monday 30^th January at 12 noon at University Hospital of North Durham.

Anyone interested in attending these or having an individual discussion about the plans can contact our patient experience manager on: paulabrennan@nhs.net or ring: 0800 783 5774.

Published: 04 January 2022