A MEMORIAL fountain in the bereavement garden at Ronkswood is on its way to the new Worcester Royal Hospital.

Personalised stones placed in the fountain by grieving parents in memory of lost babies have been collected and will be replaced in it when it has been re-sited.

Many parents have taken comfort in the bereavement room and its adjoining garden since it was opened at Worcester Royal Infirmary in 1994.

Known as the Fay Turner Suite after a devoted hospital employee, it was created and furnished as a private place for newly-bereaved parents following a £30,000 public appeal.

Donations to the fund continued and a year later the garden was laid out, with the fountain at the centre of beds of flowers including roses, lavender and rosemary, which symbolises remembrance.

"Parents can have their baby's name put on a stone, which is placed in the fountain of remembrance," said clinical midwife specialist Judi Terry.

"The bereavement room and garden on this site will continue to be used until we move to the new hospital, where there will be a new bereavement suite in the maternity unit.''

Senior midwife Chris Poyser said the fountain would be moved on Sunday and concerned parents could contact her through the hospital.

"We want to reassure parents and relatives that we shall take great care of their personalised stones," she added.

"We look forward to the service of dedication for the new bereavement garden and to next spring, when it will be available again to support parents through difficult times."