Child bereavement in Gloucestershire
Where to get advice and information We understand that this page has been given to you at a very distressing time. The loss of a child is a life changing event and understandably you will experience a wide range of emotions. On this page, we hope that you will find useful information that meets your individual needs.
Local information
You can find information and advice about bereavement at NHS.UK.
Gloucestershire Community Children’s Nursing Team
Providing community (home) based nursing care and support to children and their families, including end of life care and bereavement support.
Tel: 0300 421 8299
Website: www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/childrenscommunity-nursing/
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We providing immediate support following the death of a child in the Emergency Department, Neonatal Unit or Children’s Unit.
The Bereavement Service would be very happy to help arrange a meeting with you, to discuss any questions you may have about your child’s care and death. This may include your child’s Consultant Paediatrician or members of the nursing team.
Acorns Children’s Hospice Worcester
Acorns provide specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened babies, children and young people and support for their families. This is provided to families previously referred to us. Skilled teams offer nursing care at end of life in the hospice, and families can choose to use a special bedroom where their child can be cared for after death. The team also offer therapeutic based pre and post bereavement support on a one to one basis or in groups, sibling support and practical support in planning the funeral.
Tel: 01905 767 676
Website: www.acorns.org.uk
Young Glos
This is a countywide charity that supports young people (aged 11 to 25) who are facing challenges in their lives. The charity provides training and development, practical support and community involvement to young people across Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01452 501 008
Website: www.youngglos.org.uk
Gloucestershire Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP)
Government legislation requires that the death of every child or young person should be reviewed by the local child death review panel (CDOP).
Information about your child and how they died is collected and reviewed to try and identify any factors which may improve the health and wellbeing of children and families in the future and is provided to the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD).
Further information on the local review is available in the Information for Parents, Families and Carers leaflet which your healthcare professional can provide.
Bereavement Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Bereavement Service will be given details of the death and they will arrange for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to be completed by the doctor as soon as possible. In certain cases, the death will need to be discussed with the coroner. This may result in a delay in being able to register the death. Relatives will be advised to telephone the Bereavement Service at the hospital.
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 6742
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Cheltenham General Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 4753
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Registration of Death service
To arrange an appointment please call or access online or contact the Bereavement Service who can assist you:
Tel: 01452 425 060
Website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/registration
The Registration Service will be able to explain how you will receive copies of the death certificate during your telephone appointment. Please allow up to 45 minutes for this appointment. If a death has been referred to the Coroner, the procedure will be different.
If the death has been reported to the Coroner you will be informed by the coroner’s office when they have sent the necessary paperwork to the registration office so that you can make an appointment to register the death.
Coroner
If there is a coroner’s investigation into the death of your child, the coroner’s officer will contact you at the beginning of this process, and then support you throughout. You can get more information about the coroner’s role from one of our patient information leaflets, please request this from the hospital team involved.
National information
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and those who care for them. Our expert teams offer one off and ongoing bereavement support and we also provide online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
Tel: 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place, where young people who are facing grief can share their stories with others. Here you will find advice about how to deal with your loss and a listening ear from other young people.
Tel: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK
Supporting families and educating professionals when a child dies and when a child is bereaved.
Tel: 01494 568 900
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Child Death Helpline
A freephone helpline offering support for anyone affected by the death of a child.
Tel: 0800 282 986
Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
CLIC Sargent
Helping children and young people with cancer.
Tel: 0300 330 0803
Website: www.clicsargent.org.uk
Together for Short Lives
Supporting children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and all those who support, love and care for them. Information and advice for professionals, families and services.
Tel: 0808 8088100
Website: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Road Peace
A charity for road crash victims, supporting those bereaved or injured, and working for road safety.
Tel: 0845 450 0355
Website: www.roadpeace.org
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter)
SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved.
Tel: 0121 451 1618
Website: www.samm.org.uk
Neonatal information
Miscarriage Association
Offering information and support to help with miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancies.
Tel: 01924 200 799
Website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Offering emotional support and information to anyone affected by the death of a baby.
Tel: 0808 164 3332
Website: www.sands.org.uk
Lullaby Trust (formerly FSID)
Provides specialist support for bereaved families and anyone after the sudden death of an infant.
Tel: 0808 802 6868
Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Bliss
Information, support and counselling for families with babies ‘born too small, too soon, too sick’
Tel: 020 7378 1122
Website: www.bliss.org.uk
Counselling information
Cruse Bereavement Care
Telephone, face-to-face and group support is delivered by trained bereavement support volunteers all over the UK
Tel: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
SAMARITANS
Available 24 hours a day providing emotional support for those in distress and despair.
Tel: 116 123
Website: www.samaritans.org
Compassionate Friends
Supporting the bereaved and their families by those similarly bereaved.
Tel: 0345 123 2304
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
A Child of Mine
Offers support and information to anyone affected by the death of a child.
Tel: 07803 751 229 (9:00am to 5:00pm)
Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Providing a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.
Tel: 0300 111 5065 (9:00am to 9:00pm every day).
Website: www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Beautiful Inside and Out (Scio)
Supporting bereaved parents and siblings of suicide victims.
Tel: 0798 432 8808
Practical help and advice
Bereavement Benefits Service (DWP)
Advice and guidance on financial support available to help with funeral costs.
Website: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Partnership for Children
A charity which promotes the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children.
Tel: 020 8974 6004
Website: www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/
Citizens Advice
Providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and support.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Children’s Funeral Charity
Practical support, guidance and financial help for families in England and Wales who have to arrange a funeral for a baby or child aged 16 or under.
Tel: 01480 276 088
Website: www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk/
While the charities listed on this page are well known on a local or national basis, the authors of the page cannot confirm their current working practices at the time you may access support or information.