This document discusses an initiative by the Yeats Country Quilters group to donate handmade quilts to the paediatric unit of Sligo University Hospital. The quilts are given to bereaved parents of children who have passed away as a gift of comfort and support. Nursing staff sensitively offer the quilts to parents during the difficult time of their child's death. The initiative has provided compassion and support to grieving parents and has received recognition awards. It demonstrates community spirit and partnership in caring for families experiencing loss.

1. 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