Nurse support
The Early Pregnancy Loss Team offer our condolences to you during this difficult and upsetting time. We would like you to know that we are here to offer support and advice. We understand that you may need time to process your loss and we do not wish to be intrusive.
The team cover all hospitals under Humber Health Partnership. These include Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (Grimsby, Goole and Scunthorpe) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital).
The early pregnancy loss nurse can offer you and your family practical advice and information; help explain some of the formalities involved and guide you through any choices you may face during this difficult time.
Although we do not offer formal counselling, we are here if you wish to talk, as it can sometimes be helpful to talk with someone outside of your family setting. We can also provide you with contact details for local ongoing supportive charities or refer you directly if you would like.
You can self-refer to the Early Pregnancy Loss Bereavement Support Service
Please read before self -referring. This is a newly established service, and we expect demand to be high. We are very sorry that, for the time being, we are not able to accept every referral. Where we cannot offer support, we will always try to point you towards an alternative.
Please include your name, date of birth, NHS number if known and your phone number to : [email protected] we aim to contact you via phone within 7-10 working days.
Who we can accept
To be offered support, a referral must meet all the following:
1. Gestational age – under 16 weeks gestation
2. Timeframe – occurred within the last 6 months at the point of referral
3. Care setting and location- You have been seen for this pregnancy loss within one of the following:
- Gynaecology Assessment Unit
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit or Ultrasound
- Gynaecology/ maternity Ward
- Emergency Care Centre
- Your GP based at Hull, Grimsby or Scunthorpe hospitals or sits within the same catchment area.
Who we are not yet able to accept
- Loss at 16 weeks gestation or later — please contact the bereavement midwife within your local hospital
- Loss occurring more than 6 months ago.
- Referrals from family and friends
If a referral falls outside the criteria
We are sorry. This is a new service, and we are currently unable to offer support to everyone who needs it. Being outside the criteria is not a judgement about how much someone is struggling.
Alternative sources of support include:
- Your GP, who can provide ongoing care and refer on to local mental health or counselling services.
- The Samaritans has a 24 hr service – Call 116 123 – or on-line www.samaritans.org
- Cruse Bereavement Support — general bereavement counselling.
- NHS Talking therapy’s
- NHS 111 — for urgent mental health support; 999 in an emergency.
- Please see hyperlinks to all local and national support below.
Local support
Chaplaincy and spiritual care: Providing safe spaces where people can speak openly and be heard. Hull hospitals: 01482 311224, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole hospitals: 03033 302489 (Office hours on-site 8am to 4pm, on call from 4pm to 8am).
Sands Grimsby and Cleethorpes/Sands Scunthorpe: Volunteer-led local group. Befrienders of local bereaved parents and have many different experiences of loss between them including early losses. Grimsby/Cleethorpes Sands hold a monthly support group meeting on the first Wednesday of every month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Grimsby. They both have a Facebook page with local information on. Scunthorpe Sands: Please see their Facebook page for monthly groups and meetings. Click the links above.
Chasing Rainbows charity: A Hull-based charity with a rising national profile, founded in 2019 and registered in 2020. The charity is dedicated to supporting families experiencing baby loss and infertility. It has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of families in their darkest moments. The charity offers support to all people that have suffered any pregnancy or baby loss at any gestation of pregnancy. It shines a light on the importance of all baby loss being recognised and that all loss matters.
House of Light: House of Light has supported many people through the difficult journey of grief and loss. They provide counselling to support women, men and couples through the devastation of baby loss. Open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm. Call 01482 580499, freephone 0800 043 2031 or email [email protected]
National support
Miscarriage UK: Provide information, resources, and support. They also have a helpline you can call between the hours of 6am to 9pm, Monday to Friday, on 01924200799
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust: Provide information, advice, and support for anyone who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy
NHS Talking therapies for anxiety and depression: NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression. Offer access to talking therapies/psychological therapies for anyone struggling with feelings of depression, excessive worry, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Muslim Bereavement Support Service – [email protected] – Provide bereavement support to Muslim families
Sands: Provide support for anyone affected by a pregnancy loss or death of a baby. They also offer emotional support and advice over the telephone during the hours of 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, on 08081643332
4louis: Provide memory making, support and fundraising events
Cradle: Provide support groups and online forums
Simba: Provide memory making and support
Tommy’s: Fund research and provide expert information, advice and support
Petals: Provide specialist counselling following a baby loss
The worst girl gang ever: Provide a membership for peer support and podcasts
Holding Her Space: Provide community-based support for African and Caribbean communities and provide a free Doula service
If you require support out of office hours or during the weekend, you can call the Samaritans helpline on 116123