Bristol sanctuaries where we can say goodbye

People who have lost loved ones in hospital can spend time with them in a more relaxed setting after a transformation of facilities at Frenchay and Southmead.

It used to be that staff were almost embarrassed to show families into the mortuary viewing rooms at the hospitals because they were so dingy, but now they have facilities they can be proud of.

A team of staff has led the £185,000 project to create tranquil rooms where people feel comfortable to spend as much time as they want with their loved ones. Natural light streams into the room through doors and windows, decorated with coloured stencils.

People who use the rooms can leave the doors from the comfortable waiting rooms open to provide space for the whole family, or they can be closed so individuals spending time with their loved one have privacy.

There are gardens so family and friends can step outside for air during their visit, but also for the parents of babies who have died to be able to spend time with the infants, especially if they have never left hospital.

A tea and coffee machine has been included so people can sit and relax, without having to walk across the sites to the cafe.

The rooms and gardens are fenced in so that people have a sense of privacy in the rooms and gardens.

There are dedicated parking spaces outside the rooms so family members do not need to worry about finding room in the car parks when they arrive at the hospitals.

For Anita O'Connor, a medical secretary based at nhs.uk" rel="nofollow" target=_blank>Frenchay Hospital, the new viewing rooms are an improvement on the ones she visited when her husband Steve died just before Christmas 2007.

He passed away in Frenchay suddenly after a fall at home.

She said: "The people were fantastic but the room was grim. I think if they had had these facilities then I would probably have stayed longer and probably would have come again.

"This facility just makes you feel comfortable, like you want to be here.

"It is the memory of seeing Steve here that upsets me. I think if I had a memory from this room, it would be easier. It is like a little sanctuary."

Mrs O'Connor was involved in helping the project team when they were planning the new mortuary viewing rooms.

She said: "They asked us for ideas when they were planning this and I think they have done a great job."

Mrs O'Connor went along to the official opening of the viewing rooms at Frenchay yesterday and cut the ribbon with the help of North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) chief executive Sonia Mills.

The Southmead rooms were opened by Jason Viner, whose son William died just a 23 hours after wife Maria gave birth.

The couple are involved in the Bristol branch of Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity), which supports families who have lost a baby before, during or after birth.

Mr Viner said: "For parents whose babies die before, during or shortly after birth it is particularly difficult to say goodbye before you have really said hello.

"The memories you will have at this time are the only ones they will ever have of their child and will last a lifetime.

"Our first son William died in our arms when he was just one day old.

"We would have dearly loved the opportunity to spend time holding him in a garden such as this one."

The viewing rooms project brought together NBT staff from across the trust, from nurses and mortuary staff to members of the estates team.

It started when the hospital trust was successful in bidding for a grant from the Kings Fund and Department of Health, and was supported by other charities, including the WRVS, Friends of Frenchay and Thornbury Round Table.

Professional artists and designers were brought in, including Judy Foote, who created the artwork used on the windows and textile artist Anne Griffiths, whose embroidery designs were used on the bier covers.

Furnishings and equipment worth £1,000 was donated by John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway to be used in the viewing rooms.

For Sarah Hart, from the mortuary team, the project has been a labour of love.

She said: "Before you almost felt embarrassed to take people in here but now we can feel a sense of pride when they come to see loved ones. This is a beautiful, caring environment."

Director of clinical governance, and project leader, Lesley Le-Pine said: "When you look at the new rooms compared to what was previously available, the difference is unbelievable – and it's incredibly satisfying to know that this might help people find peace at a very difficult time."

The project has already won regional awards and will be evaluated as part of a national project being carried out by Nottingham University, and could lead to changes in the way other hospitals in the country design their mortuary viewing rooms in the future.