Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Child remembrance service

Posted By augustqx68

"Child remembrance service"

About: NHS Tayside

(as a service user),

As a bereaved parent I have always valued the remembrance services put on by NHS Tayside at Christmas. I have always found them to be sensitive and supportive.

However, this year felt the complete opposite unfortunately. It felt stressful, disorganised and quite disrespectful at times particularly the Christmas carol towards the end. Who in their right mind would play a song that features lyrics that mention birth, womb and worst of all born that man no more shall die at a child remembrance service!?

Myself and those seated near me found it extremely upsetting to the point I had to say something. I’m sure whoever planned the service had good intentions but this really was not appropriate and I hope it hasn’t caused any further offence particularly for any newly bereaved parents.

Thankyou 

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Susan Anderson, Care Opinion Administrator, Patient Experience Team, NHS Tayside 4 months ago
Susan Anderson
Care Opinion Administrator, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 12/02/2025 at 14:40
Published on Care Opinion at 14:40

Dear augustqx68

Please accept my apologies for the delay in providing this response and thank you for your feedback and sharing how the remembrance service has supported you through the years. This is our aim and goal as the Spiritual Care and Bereavement Service.

There are two aspects you have raised. The first is the organising of the service. There was considerable preparation involved with numerous stakeholders, one of them was the Spiritual Care Service. We work with other partners so it brings meaning and strength. We share your disappointment if that was not met for you but please be assured that we sought and aimed for an organised event. However, there were certain circumstances that were out with our control even with all the planning.

The service brings together a diverse group of people united under a common loss. How that is expressed can vary considerably. We totally respect your views and others. We seek to hold these together. There were other’s feedback, who deeply appreciated the carol and enabled them respectfully to process their loss. The carol was introduced to support them and we hope there was no sense of obligation for you to participate. However. we will review how the service is conducted for this year and your feedback will be considered. Thank you for the thought and effort taken to share your views. Our thoughts are with you as a bereaved parent.

Dr. Alister Bull
Head of Spiritual Care and Bereavement
NHS Tayside

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k