Supporting families at the hardest of times

“We can’t make this time any less painful, but we can help ensure each family has the support they want and need”

Tamara is one of our Clinical Nurse Specialists at Alexander Devine. This Baby Loss Awareness Week she talks about the vital role she plays in supporting families at the hardest of times.

The loss of a pregnancy or infant is a very difficult subject for many parents, parents-to-be, and their families. They find themselves suddenly thrust onto a new path they never expected to be on. Everyone’s journey on this path is unique and Tamara and Alexander’s Care Team are there to give support when it is needed:

Alexander Devine often receives referrals from neonatal teams when babies have complex healthcare needs. We are skilled in providing compassionate care and support for the whole family from the first contact until after a child has died.

 

If an antenatal scan has picked up that a baby has a life-limiting condition, expectant parents can be referred to us. A joined-up approach is important so our Clinical Nurse Specialists meet with the obstetrician, midwives and hospice doctor to build a birth plan for the mother and advance care and symptom management plan for the baby once they are born.

 

Sadly, some of these babies pass away very soon after birth and we ensure they are comfortable to enable the parents to have precious time with their newborn baby. Being able to make special and lasting memories is so important and for many of these families we do what we can to facilitate special photo shoots and imprints of their hands and feet.

 

We also offer either the Dolphin Suite or the use of a cuddle cot, which enables the parents to take their baby home for a few days or spend time within the hospice with the support of the team. We help the families build memory boxes both during the pregnancy and after birth, and extend our support to siblings with specialist play and age-appropriate activities.

 

It’s such a rewarding part of my role as no matter how short a baby’s life is, to be able to offer support to the parents and family during such an incredibly sad time is such a privilege. We can’t make this time any less painful, but we can help ensure each family has the support they want and need and give them a dedicated and private space to be together.

Need our help?

The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.

Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.

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Remember our very special Christmas gift from Volvo? 🚗🎁

It’s a gift that really has been making a huge difference to us at Alexander Devine, especially in helping us provide additional support for families like Huzaifah's.

Huzaifah, who is not yet two years old, up until earlier this year had spent just 7 weeks of his life out of hospital. Our team have been supporting the family in trying to keep him safe at home as much as possible, and now we can also help the family with taking him to his hospital appointments for vital treatment.

Using the car meant our Alexander's Nurses and Carers could safely transport Huzaifah along with his wheelchair, additional oxygen cylinders, suction machine and the extra team members we need to keep him safe during the journey.

Thank you Volvo for helping us make even more of a difference to children and families that we support.

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…and relax!

With its mesmerising lights and rainbow of colours, our sensory room is a wonderfully calm environment for the babies, children and young people that we support to explore.

After a busy morning splashing in the pool, getting messy in the creative zone or playing outside in the gardens, it’s the perfect place to unwind (for Alexander’s Nurses and Carers too!)

#LifeAtOurHospice #ChildrensHospiceCare #SensoryPlay #MagicalMoments
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Glitz, glamour, delicious food, fabulous entertainment, music and dancing – all wrapped up into one sparkling evening!

For this year's Heaven Sent Ball on Friday 12th May, we are heading to the stunning De Vere Wokefield Estate, near Reading.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit: alexanderdevine.org/heavensentball

Blue Peak Accounting href="https://facebook.com/590287127648696">#fundraisingball #heavensentball Blue Peak Accounting
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Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is the operating name of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 5757493

Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.