How Zoë's can Help
Provision of Care for our Babies
and their Families
If you are a parent who may need our help, please do not hesitate to contact Zoë's, it only takes a phone call, or e-mail the staff who are on duty 24 hours a day to take your call.
What Zoë's can offer Parents and Babies
At Zoë's we do not have a set admission criteria, if your baby has special needs then we can help you. We do not have a fixed catchment area. We welcome babies and their families from all over the country.
When you contact Zoë's the Nurse in Charge will be happy to tell you about Zoë's and will answer any of your questions, they will then either send you our video and information to your home or you will be invited to visit us (please, feel free to bring your family with you).
We understand that this is a big step for all of our families, there is always an element of guilt, 'am I doing the right thing'? Remember you are not alone, all of our families feel these emotions (it's normal!). We are initially total strangers to you.
If you would like to use Zoë's, you tell us what you want for your baby, please always remember that you know your own baby best. Some of our parents initially ask to come in with their baby just for a few hours, then perhaps they ask for a day where they can leave their baby in our care. We are here to meet your needs.
We hope that we will become friends. Eventually parents begin to leave their babies overnight or for a couple of nights stay.
We realise that all Mums and Dads are anxious and we encourage you to phone as many times as you like, you can also pop in at anytime. We do have rooms that parents can stay in overnight.
There is no charge made to our parents, we ask that you bring in with you your babies own clothes, feeds, medicines and toiletries. This is explained to you when you contact us. We do ask you to fill in an 'All about Me Book' this lets you tell us all about your special baby. If we can get it right from day one, then we usually find that we have a happy baby.
Palliative/Terminal Care
Sadly, we do loose some of our babies, at such times this affects all members of staff. Parents often approach us when they have been told that their little one has now been termed, 'terminally ill'. Each family has individual needs and every family will handle the situation differently.
Sometimes a family will not want their baby to pass away in a hospital environment and it is not always appropriate due to family circumstances for their baby to pass away at home because of the effect if would have on other siblings.
At Zoë's we can care for a baby until such a time that they decide to leave us. The parents and family have total control, we listen to want they want for their baby. We like to think that when this sad time arises we give the baby the dignity and all the love that they deserve.
We are here for our parents, siblings, family and their friends. As I have said, this is the sadder aspect of our work and we are privileged that parents allow us to care for their babies.
To find out more about fundraising for the Midlands Baby Hospice, contact Vicki.
Phone: 01926 834642
email: vicki@zoes-place.org.uk