Couple who lost premature baby girl create hospital room for other grieving parents in North Lanarkshire

A couple who lost their baby daughter after she was born prematurely have helped create a special hospital room where other bereaved parents can grieve in private in North Lanarkshire.

Greg and Suzanne Russell’s daughter, Lily, was born at 24 weeks in January 2014 at University Hospital Wishaw but died a few hours after her birth.

Ten years after her death, the couple from Coatbridge have raised £5,420 to pay for a new family room at the hospital in memory of Lily.

“The maternity and neonatal staff supported us fantastically and prepared us for the worst,” Mr Russell said.

The room has been built in a quiet corner of the neonatal unit, with staff calling it the Coorie Inn. NHS Lanarkshire

“It seemed appropriate to do something for them on the tenth anniversary of losing Lily.”

Mr Russell said they were “delighted” when hospital said the money would be best used to build the family room.

“It was very important for us that we got to spend time alone with Lily in her final hours and after,” the 33-year-old added.

Mrs Russell, 30, said: “It gives us a great sense of peace knowing this room will bring some form of comfort to couples, who will able to spend precious time with their baby that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

The room has been built in a quiet corner of the neonatal unit, with staff calling it the Coorie Inn.

Inside the room is a double bed, wardrobes, TV, an ensuite and a framed message on the wall in tribute to Lily.

There is a “cold cot” for those who wish to spend cherished moments with a child who has passed away.

It will also provide a private space for parents to stay in while their baby is cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The couple raised the funds for the Coorie Inn through a charity golf day and auction at the Cardrona course in Peebles in August 2023.

Mr and Mrs Russell visited the hospital to cut the ribbon and officially open the new room, joined by their four-month-old daughter Alexandra.

Mr and Mrs Russell joined by their four-month-old daughter Alexandra. NHS Lanarkshire

Alexandra was also born prematurely, at 34 weeks, but survived thanks to NHS Lanarkshire’s neonatal staff.

NHS Lanarkshire director of midwifery Cheryl Clark thanked the couple for their “generous” donation.

She said: “It was wonderful to see baby Alexandra with them when they visited to open the Coorie Inn, which is a fitting tribute to the memory of Lily and will be greatly appreciated by other parents.”