Bereavement counselling and follow up service

Grief takes many forms – there is no set pattern and people react in many different ways.

Some people find it useful to talk through their feelings with someone who is not a family member.

Who is the service for?

The service is available for families whose child has died within Children’s Services at Addenbrookes Hospital.

If you feel unable to make contact yourself but would like a counsellor practitioner to contact you, please ask your GP, health visitor, friend or relative to do this for you.

Bereavement counselling and support

If you would like to speak with a counsellor practitioner to talk through any issues that may arise from your bereavement process, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will endeavour to help, or try to put you in contact with other bereavement services nearer to your home. We can offer telephone calls, video appointments or face to face appointments.

Bereavement Follow Up meeting

Approximately 6 weeks following the death of your child, we will write to you to invite you back if you wish to talk through any questions you may have surrounding your child’s illness or death. This meeting will normally be with a specialist consultant, a counsellor practitioner and/or a nurse who was involved with your child’s care. It will normally take about an hour, depending on your needs. We can then arrange any further follow up you may require. This meeting can take place at any time following the death; there is no time limit.

How can I make contact with a counsellor?

You can telephone the numbers below:

Counsellor Practitioner:

01223 256312 or 01223 216878

Alternatively you can contact PICU and ask them to leave a message for the counselling team 01223 217715.

Please leave a message with your name and telephone number and your call will be returned within a few days.