Cold Cuddle Cot donation gives Taranaki families more time to grieve

31 July 2015

Taranaki families who suffer the loss of a baby in pregnancy or early infancy will now have the opportunity to spend more quality time with their deceased baby, thanks to the donation of a Cold Cuddle Cot from Linda and Don Mackie via the Emerikus Land Foundation.

In situations where baby loss occurs, the time available for families to share special moments,  bond and form memories with their baby is limited.  The addition of a Cold Cuddle Cot to Taranaki DHB’s resources will provide more time to do this and will assist with the grieving and healing process for those families. 

“The Cold Cuddle Cot is a relatively new piece of equipment in New Zealand and it will be the first of its kind at the Taranaki DHB. We feel very privileged and grateful for the donation,” said Taranaki DHB Clinical Midwife Manager, Amanda Antoine.

 “The Cot will be welcomed by the staff as it will help them better support families when a baby loss occurs. The personal and cultural needs of patients and visitors who use our services are so varied; the Cot will allow us greater capabilities to meet those needs,” added Ms Antoine.

The cot will be used in Taranaki Base Hospital’s ‘Willow suite’, a facility that has been set up with the support of SANDS New Plymouth (a pregnancy, baby and infant loss support group). The ‘Willow suite’ provides a comfortable and private environment for parents who are grieving from the loss of a baby.

The Emerikus Land Foundation was set up in Toowoomba, Australia, after the founders Sherri-Leigh and Ben Land’s daughter Emerikus was stillborn after Placental Abruption occurred in the womb. The aim of the foundation is to raise awareness of Placental Abruption and other causes of baby loss.

The Foundation also raises funds for the purchase and donation of Cold Cuddle Cots to hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Mackie are local to Taranaki and are relatives of the Land family. Their donation is the 55th cot donated by the Emerikus Land Foundation. “We’re happy that the donation will bring comfort to grieving families,” said Mrs Mackie.

ENDS

For more information please call: Greer Lean, Communications Advisor, 027 8019084

About SANDS
SANDS New Zealand is a nation-wide network of more than 25 parent-run, non-profit groups supporting families who have experienced the death of a baby. For more information about SANDS in New Plymouth, call 027 862 6977 or email sandsnewplymouth@yahoo.co.nz.

Last updated: Friday, July 31, 2015