A WOMAN who lost her baby has hit out at hospital bosses for reducing a counselling service designed to help devastated parents come to terms with their loss.

The mother told The Northern Echo that she would no longer be able to receive counselling following the retirement of two key members of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s (CDDFT) bereavement services team.

A move which has resulted in changes in CDDFT’s delivery of bereavement services but health chiefs are adamant that counselling and support will continue to be offered to people suffering from the affects of losing a child.

The mother, who wants to remain anonymous, said: "Many people are outraged that they believe that the service is to be scrapped with families left devastated following many years of counselling.

"I have used the service for many years myself following the birth of my stillborn son.

"I believe that the management have planned to save monies by not replacing either the bereavement support officer, who retired in March, or the bereavement counsellor due to retire next week.

“I’m perplexed how they are now scurrying round to find a replacement when one left month four ago and the other about to go. I was told back in April that I wouldn’t be able to have any more counselling from July.

“I have not got over my son’s death – and highly unlikely to if I’m honest and to find them saying they were always going to replace the staff is just an insult.”

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that the retirements had resulted in a review of services but reassured devastated mothers that counselling is still available.

She said: “We have no plans to discontinue our bereavement service and are committed to offering both emotional and practical support and advice to anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.

“We also work closely with organisations such as SANDS, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity to ensure we’re offering the very best support.

“The service is currently in transition after the retirement of two members of the team.

“We are sorry if anyone feels this has affected the support we have given them and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further through our Patient Experience Team who can be contacted on Freephone: 0800 783 5774.”

Anyone wanting advice or requiring further information about the services offered by SANDS can visit www.sands.org.uk or contact the charity's helpline on via email at helpline@sands.org.uk or by telephone on 0808 164 3332.