If you have suffered a bereavement in our hospital, we would like to offer our sincere condolences for your loss. Experiencing the loss of someone dear to you, whether it be expected or sudden, is always devastating. There is no ‘normal’ way to experience grief.
We have a dedicated Bereavement Service who can provide support and advice to the families, loved ones and carers when someone passes away while in our hospital.
We are here to listen to your experiences, and if you have any questions or concerns about the care provided to your loved one while under the care of our hospital, then the Bereavement Service can liaise with clinical teams to answer your questions, whether this be a written response or a meeting with key members of the team who cared for your loved one.
We can share any comments, thanks or compliments you may have for our wards or about a specific member of staff who looked after your loved one.
Although the Bereavement Service is not able to offer Bereavement Counselling, we can provide you with details of external services and charities who can offer specialised support, if you are struggling with your loss. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, contact your GP immediately, phone 999, or contact a crisis support charity such as Samaritans and Mind.
Following the death of your loved one the Medical Examiner’s Officer at Northampton General Hospital will call the (NGH) registered Next of Kin who will obtain any relevant information from you about your loved one, your chosen funeral director’s name and will explain the process of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death .
For more information on the services we can provide or for further information following a bereavement please see our ‘Bereavement Support booklet’.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 09.30 – 15.30 (We are closed between 12.00 and 13.00)
Telephone number:
01604 523489
Telephone voice messaging service available
How to find us:
PALS & Bereavement Office, Area R
From the South entrance, turn left onto the Hospital Street corridor. Proceed all the way to the end of Hospital Street. Take a right turn and follow the corridor as it slopes upwards past the Oncology department. Bear left as the corridor turns and the PALS office is immediately on your left.
From the Billing Road entrance, proceed along the corridor until you reach a T-junction. Turn left and continue up the corridor. The PALS office is on the left just before the corridor bears right.
On occasions, we may have to shut the office during this time to ensure patient confidentiality.
Email: ngh-tr.bereavementservice@nhs.net,
The Bereavement Service aim to acknowledge all emails and telephone calls within 3 working days, however during busier times this may take a little longer.
Mortuary
We understand families want to say goodbye to their loved one as part of the grieving process, sometimes as soon after death as possible.
The ward can arrange this top occur immediately after your loved one has died. If you are unable to attend to the ward, you may be able to view your loved one at the County Mortuary, or at your chosen Funeral Directors.
Viewings at the County Mortuary are by appointment only and are 30 minutes long.
To arrange a viewing, please contact the Couty Mortuary:
Phone: 01604 527620
email: thecountymortuary@westnorthants.gov.uk
Opening House: Monday to Friday 9.00 – 15.00
Location:
The County Mortuary
Booth Meadow House
Museum Way
Riverside Business Park
Northampton
NN3 9HW
Hospital Chaplains
You may wish to speak with a Chaplain/Priest or other faith representative following the death of a loved one. The Hospital Chaplains represent all the main Christian Churches and there is always a hospital Chaplain available. Please see chaplaincy and pastoral support page for further information.
You can contact the Hospital Chaplains directly on:
Tel: 01604 545773
Mortuary
We understand families want to say goodbye to their loved one as part of the grieving process, sometimes as soon after death as possible.
The ward can arrange this top occur immediately after your loved one has died. If you are unable to attend to the ward, you may be able to view your loved one at the County Mortuary, or at your chosen Funeral Directors.
Viewings at the County Mortuary are by appointment only and are 30 minutes long.
To arrange a viewing, please contact the County Mortuary:
Phone: 01604 527620
email: thecountymortuary@westnorthants.gov.uk
Opening House: Monday to Friday 9.00 – 15.00
Location:
The County Mortuary
Booth Meadow House
Museum Way
Riverside Business Park
Northampton
NN3 9HW
Children & young people bereavement services
The children and young person's bereavement service offers one-to-one counselling and age appropriate bereavement groups. The service has a number of counsellors and volunteers and takes referrals from parents, schools, health professionals and if the child is over 16 from the child themselves.
The service also provides training for anyone requesting help in dealing with bereaved children.
Contact Number: 01604 545131
Other services who may be able to help you:
| Northamptonshire Carers |
Northamptonshire Carers are a charity funded team based within the hospital. They provide support for carers which includes guidance and support for bereaved carers. A bereavement can sometimes mean practical and social difficulties. Northamptonshire Carers can direct advise or direct you if you need housing advice and/or advice about benefits.
Tel: 01933 677907 (option 6)
Email: hospitals@northamptonshire-carers.org |
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Northamptonshire Health Charity
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Some families wish to make a donation in memory of their loved one. For further information about options on how to donate, please visit: northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk/in-memory |
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| Property Office |
If you wish to arrange to collect belongings, you should contact the ward in the first instance however, sometimes these are sent to the property office for safekeeping. You can contact the property office on 01604 545779. |
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| Bereavement Support |
MIND - Tel: 0300 123 3393
CRUSE (Bereavement Care) - Tel: 0808 808 1677 |
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