Losing someone you care about is always difficult.
Here at Royal Papworth there is dedicated bereavement support available through our Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) team.
They are available to support and advise you about the next steps and the practical arrangements that follow a death in our hospital. The team work alongside the medical examiner’s service who provide an independent review of all deaths within the Trust.
If you are with your loved one at the time of death you should receive a booklet entitled ‘Bereavement at our hospital’.
This helpful guide aims to give you practical advice and information about making arrangements following a death at our hospital and explains what you (or a member of your family) needs to do.
On the first working day after your loved one has died, the listed next of kin will be contacted by a member of the hospital’s PALS team, or a medical examiner officer (MEO), who will explain the paperwork process.
Should you wish to arrange to see your loved one in the Woodland Suite, which is located at Addenbrookes Hospital, please contact the mortuary team directly on 01223 217106 Monday to Friday 8:00 to 16:00.
Outside of these hours, you can contact Addenbrooke’s Hospital switchboard on 01223 245151 or 01223 805000 and ask to speak with the on-call mortuary technician.
Hospital Chaplains
You may wish to speak with a Chaplain/Priest or other faith representative following the death of a loved one.
The Chaplaincy team is here to meet the spiritual and religious needs of the whole hospital community, by providing specialist pastoral care for patients and relatives.
The team is available each weekday on site from 8:00 to 16:00 and out of hours for emergencies, when someone is always available.
You can contact the Hospital Chaplains via email. Alternatively you can call the Chaplaincy office on 01223 639121 or 07775 555172
PALS opening hours:
Located on the ground floor of the hospital, the PALS office is open to walk-ins from 09:00-13:00, Monday to Friday.
From 13:00-15:30, Monday to Friday, visiting the PALS office is by appointment only.
Enquiries via phone on 01223 638896 / 01223 638963 or email are welcomed throughout the working day (09:00-15:00).