Bereaved parents have raised concerns over plans to expand a hospital's A&E department over the current site of a memorial garden. 

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust have tabled plans to expand the A&E department of the University Hospital of North Durham, in order to cope with unprecedented demand. 

The proposed development would stretch over the current site of the Little Angels Memorial Garden, which is used by bereaved parents to scatter the ashes of their lost babies. The garden has been on the site since 1997 and contains around 540 plaques dedicated to infants who have passed away in the hospital. 

As the situation stands, the hospital's A&E department has to cope with more than double the number of patients it was initially designed for, meaning an increased A&E capacity is sorely needed, but some bereaved parents believe that a compromise could be reached, which would see the garden remain in its current location.  A decision on the plans is due to be made next week.

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The Northern Echo: Many bereaved parents have felt unhappy with plans to develop over the current site of the Little Angels GardenMany bereaved parents have felt unhappy with plans to develop over the current site of the Little Angels Garden (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Suzanne Minto, whose son Jack passed away in 1999, was the first to find out about the hospital's redevelopment plans. Suzanne helped to restore the garden in 2004 and has aided in its maintenance ever since. She expressed that she has felt let down by the plans.

She said: "If it is moved, there is no way that it will be as special or as sacred as it is now. Ashes are spread here, and they are still on the ground here. The garden has to be looked at in the same light as a cemetery or crematorium.

"When we were working on the garden in 2004, I asked whether the garden would ever be built on, and I was told that nothing would happen to it - that it would be here forever.

"It should never have been put here if they were going to have to build over it."

Bereaved parents' concerns over sensitivity and respect were not enough to convince Durham University Hospital to alter their plans; though, at a meeting between the Trust and concerned parents, a spokesperson from the trust promised that all relocation would be done with care by specialists. 

A number of parents have already been to remove their children's plaques from the garden, as they have been so distressed by the plans. 

Those with babies in the garden were not notified by the hospital about the plans, adding to their feelings of frustration - with many finding out through social media. One commented that they felt the plans were a "done deal", and the decision about their baby's resting place was made without their consultation. 

Though the Trust insists that they had planned to open a dialogue with the public, they acknowledge that no one had been contacted thus far due to complexities around the sensitive subject of baby loss.

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Ann McNally lost her daughter Kimberly Ann in 2008. Though she acknowledged the need for A&E's expansion, she believes a compromise should be agreed on. 

Ann said: "There are alcove gardens in the main hospital, and I don't see any reason why that couldn't be done here. It is such an important place for so many parents to come and feel close to their baby."

Not every bereaved family is opposed to the site being developed. Kate, who's sisters plaque was one of the first to be placed in the garden, believes that the plans are necessary. 

Kate, and her mother, Tina Pickering, the funeral director who has helped to maintain the garden over the last two decades, think the expansion of lifesaving A&E care would "honour the memory" of all of the babies. 

Kate said: "If having more space for A&E means that one less baby's name appears in the garden, then it is worth it."

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Our plans for a much-needed expansion of the emergency department at University Hospital of North Durham involve building an extension to the front of the existing department which will enhance the care and experience our patients receive. The current department is now managing more than double the number of patients it was built to care for on an annual basis. We are very limited in space on the existing site and the extension plans have been carefully considered. Unfortunately, the garden of remembrance for babies who have died is currently located within the affected area and we have therefore had to make the difficult decision to relocate the garden to allow for the expansion plans. We fully appreciate and recognise that this is a very sensitive project and are committed to working together with local families and our local communities.

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We understand that moving the Garden may be distressing for some families as we know it brings comfort to many of those who have experienced the devastation of losing a baby. There are plaques dedicated to individual babies that have been put up in the existing garden over the years and we intend to move these to the new garden we are also discussing transferring a significant amount of topsoil, as we know some families have scattered ashes in the garden.

While we have identified a space for the garden to be relocated, the plans are at an early stage because we would very much welcome a chance to listen to families and involve them in creating a new space where they can continue to find comfort in remembering their little ones.

We are holding two engagement sessions on Thursday 26th January at 5.30pm and Monday 30th January at 12 noon at University Hospital of North Durham.” Anyone interested in attending these or having an individual discussion about the plans can contact our patient experience manager at: paulabrennan@nhs.net  or ring: 0800 783 5774.”

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