The death of a child is one of the most stressful and traumatic events that a family can experience. It has been perceived as unnatural, particularly tragic and misunderstood

Research studies show that holding something tactile or wrap-ping the deceased child in a blanket offers huge support to grieving parents during this extremely difficult time

Healthcare staff have a strong impact on bereaved parents at the time of a sudden and unexpected death of a child

Positive actions help mitigate the trauma and assist parents at the beginning of the grieving process. Small personal touches have a great impact on the bereavement experience

The Yeats Country Quilters group is a wonderful local group of hand crafters. The group has donated beautiful handmade quilts to Sligo University Hospital Paediatric Unit for a considerable number of years

Following an introduction through the Paediatric CNM 2 and staff, the CNM 3 for End of Life met with the group. The quilters group were very enthusiastic to support the gifting of a handmade quilt to bereaved parents

Each quilt is individually hand-made with the loving spirit of time and generosity

The quilt is offered as a gift of compassion, care and empathy to bereaved parents from the hospital and staff. Bereaved parents can keep each individual handmade quilt for comfort

The giving of the quilt is from the hospital and staff

It displays sensitivity and support to the parents of a deceased child

The quilts are individually vacuum-packed to adhere to infection control guidelines

Nursing staff are the predominant group of hospital staff who are present with bereaved parents throughout this traumatic period

Nursing staff offer the bereaved parents the individual handmade quilt at the time of death in the clinical setting. The parents are sensitively informed that it is being offered as a keepsake of comfort and consolation

The Yeats Country Quilters meet in a local resource centre on a monthly basis

These wonderful talented women share ideas, discuss their craft and develop new concepts for their quilts

Each quilt is voluntarily donated

Demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to grieving parents

A quality improvement initiative which has impacted on bereaved parents

Demonstrates a wonderful community spirit and builds a partnership in care

It is an offering of support to parents at a most difficult, horrendous time of their lives

On receiving a quilt one bereaved parent expressed “surprise and genuine gratitude”

Winner in the Non-Clinical category HSE West Saolta Healthcare awards November 2015

Winner CMG National Health care awards March 2016 Acknowledgement for the Hospital staff who strive to

deliver a high standard of End of Life care

Demonstration of care and compassion to bereaved parents

Sligo University hospital greatly appreciates the contribution of the Yeats Country Quilters with this initiative

This innovative process may be flexibly adapted in any healthcare setting

The initiative can be supported by local crafters in any community by creating contacts and building links with local communities who are eager to support their hospital

References From death notification through the funeral:bereaved parents' experiences and their advice to Professionals. Janzen,L.Cadell, S.Westhues, A.Journal of Death & Dying. 2003/2004 Critical care Nursing of Infants and Children, Martha A.Q.Curley and Patricia A. Maloney-Harmon (Philadelphia : W.B. Saunders Co.,2001). Predictors of grief following the death of one's child; the contribution of finding meaning, Journal of Clinical Psychology. Philadelphia .Keesee ,N.,Currier., Neimeyer,R.A. (2008)

Ann Hayes CNM3 End of Life Care , Sligo Univeristy Hospital