Longreach Hospital maternity unit staff – from left – Liz, Gemma, Lisa, Amanda, Aliesha and Eloise – with the cuddle cot donated to the hospital by Bears of Hope on behalf of the Munn family.
A generous donation has provided Longreach Hospital’s maternity unit with a cuddle cot to help support families who experience the loss of their baby at birth.
Longreach Hospital Midwifery Navigator Lisa Grimwade said the cuddle cot had been donated to the hospital through national organisation the Bears of Hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support on behalf of the Munn family.
“The Munn family donated the cuddle cot to Bears of Hope in honour of their baby son Charlie William Jay Munn who died on 10 April 2024 and we are sincerely grateful to them and Bears of Hope for thinking of us and allowing us to honour Charlie in this important way,’’ Mrs Grimwade said.
“The cuddle cot has a cooling system that allows families to spend more time with their stillborn baby as they work through the grieving process.
“The baby can remain with the mother and family for extended periods of time and in privacy.
“It’s a beautiful concept that allows families to be together and to make memories as they say hello and goodbye to their loved babies.
“Thanks to the new cuddle cot, Central West Health midwifery services will be able to provide comprehensive care right at the bedside at the time and place it is needed.’’
Bears of Hope supports families throughout Australia who experience the loss of their baby.
As part of a comprehensive range of care and support activities, Bears of Hope donate cuddle cots to maternity units across Australia.
Mrs Grimwade said the availability allowed the Longreach Hospital maternity unit to offer the same pregnancy loss grief service as larger maternity units in bigger centres.