WUTH launches Bereavement Care Charter to support families through loss
Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) has launched a new Bereavement Care Charter, bringing together health and care partners from across the borough in a shared continuing commitment to providing compassionate support for people who have lost a loved one.
The Charter, unveiled at a special launch event, sets out a series of commitments designed to ensure bereaved families are treated with dignity, kindness and understanding at one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Led by WUTH and developed with input from bereaved relatives and people with lived experience, the Charter reflects a collective commitment to placing families at the heart of bereavement care. The launch event brought together healthcare professionals, partners and bereaved family members who have helped shape the initiative through their insight, feedback and experiences.
Organisations attending the event included representatives from community services, nursing homes, hospice care, funeral services, HM Coroners’ Office and NHS England. The initiative builds on the Trust's commitment to delivering outstanding care for patients and recognises the vital importance of supporting those closest to them.
During the event, speakers shared personal experiences of loss and reflected on the difference compassionate care can make to families navigating bereavement. People with lived experience of bereavement attended the launch and helped highlight the importance of ensuring families are supported with compassion, dignity and understanding.
Chief Nurse, Chris Douglas who shared the story of the loss of her own father at the event, said:
"Bereavement care matters because it is one of the most important and difficult times for our patients and their loved ones, and as healthcare professionals we only get one chance to get it right.
"The way we care for people following the death of a loved one can stay with them for the rest of their lives. Through our Bereavement Care Charter, we are making a clear commitment to ensuring families receive compassionate, dignified and consistent support.
"I am incredibly proud of the colleagues, families and partners who have contributed to this work. By listening to lived experience and working together across organisations, we can continue our work on improving the care we provide for the communities we serve."
Among those sharing their experiences at the event was Alison Hassall, who has helped shape the Bereavement Care Charter through a WUTH patient feedback group and spoke at the event about the loss of her son, and the importance of compassionate bereavement support.
She said: "It was important to me that something positive could come from my experience of losing my son.
"Being part of the patient feedback group has given me an opportunity to share my experiences and help shape positive changes for others. I have been encouraged by how carefully the Trust has listened and involved us in shaping changes in how families are supported after the death of loved one.
The Charter is all about supporting people with kindness, dignity and understanding, and I am proud to have played a part in helping this important work move forward."
Steven Colfar, Director of Nursing and AHP Workforce (North West) at NHS England, said:
"The Bereavement Care Charter is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organisations come together around a shared purpose. Compassionate bereavement care matters deeply to families, and the commitments being made today demonstrate a determination to ensure people are supported with kindness, dignity and respect.
"I am pleased to support this important initiative and look forward to seeing how it continues to develop and make a difference for families across Wirral."
The launch marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to strengthening bereavement care across Wirral. WUTH will continue to work alongside families, staff and partner organisations to develop the Charter and ensure bereaved people receive compassionate, person-centred support whenever and wherever they access care.
ENDS
Anyone who would like to provide feedback or suggestions can contact the Bereavement Care Group via the Corporate Nursing team at Arrowe Park Hospital, email wuth.corporatenursing@nhs.net or phone: 0151 604 7367.
Photo 1 (from left): Dr Nikki Stevenson, WUTH Chief Medical Officer; Steven Colfar, Director of Nursing and AHP Workforce (North West) at NHS England; Chris Douglas MBE, WUTH Chief Nurse
Photo 2: Alison Hassall