A HOSPITAL bereavement centre has celebrated its tenth birthday – proudly helping more than 16,500 families.

Southend Hospital’s bereavement team, first founded in November 2009, has since helped the lives of so many of the borough’s residents who have lost loved ones.

The suite held a commemoration ceremony to mark the huge milestone for the team, who first began their services on November 1 that year.

The celebrations got underway with Dr Kate Gretton, who recalled the development of the suite to act as a place where families could go in the immediate aftermath of a tragic loss.

The team provides opportunities for families to talk about death and early grieving.

They offer one-to-one face to face support and as well as telephone support to bereaved families.

The service works closely with palliative care, chaplaincy, medical examiners and the mortuary team as well as with the Bereavement Midwife to support families of still-born babies.

Wendy Warner, Palliative Care Lead Nurse, said: “The Bereavement Suite has made such a big difference to families who have lost loved ones.

“It’s a quiet place where they can talk privately, reflect and get emotional support.

“Losing a loved one can be such a difficult experience and it is reassuring to know that there is a place within our hospital where families can go and get some help.

“We work in collaboration with Southend Council so the Bereavement Suite provides a one-stop-service for registration of deaths, information and signposting to other services.”

Incorporated into the commemoration celebrations, which were held over the weekend, was a prayer for Remembrance Day by the rev Jackie Turner, which was followed by a two minute silence.

The service works closely with palliative care, chaplaincy, medical examiners and the mortuary team as well as with the bereavement midwife to support families of still-born babies.

Staff as well as families joined in the commemoration and it was an opportunity to reflect and think about how all people would all like to be remembered.

For more information about the bereavement suite and the steps to take after losing a loved one, visit www.southend.nhs.uk.