Do you like the idea of ringing a bell leaving hospital after a long time?

[EachandEveryone]

Am I being miserable as it’s a baby ward after all? They are bringing it in for babies that leave after having long stays. Most parents can’t wait to get out the door I just think it’s one more thing to ask them to do. I’ve always associated it with the end of treatment for cancer. Is it a general thing now?

Exactly this.

I know its fab people are leaving but its because theu were lucky (unlucky to be there in first place, of course), and it's insensitive to the unlucky ones left. No, it shouldn't be a thing.

This is a bad idea for babies and for families who don’t ring the bell if their baby dies. No matter what the outcome no one likes remembering their experiences in NICU… it’s a miracle ward and most babies get better but we just want to take them home where they belong.

Thought it was a cancer thing- ring the bell when you get all clear

My Dh refused and they were very upset

Turns out he was right- it wasnt all clear

My hospital didn't have a bell for the end of treatment, thank god! If they had, I don't think I would have done it - I would have felt like a plonker with people looking at me, I feel like it is a bit insensitive to those whose treatment will only end at their death, and it would have totally felt like tempting fate!

All these would apply if I had a baby in hipsital too I think.

Sorry, I meant to say for my cancer treatment.

Yes I'm in the U.K.

SCBU was more like a nursery except the babies were still Monitored and in incubators - they were only moved to SCBU once they were well enough - so very very low risk of them dying on that ward. Some parents had had babies in NICU for months and then weeks in SCBU - reaching SCBU and then leaving to go home is a massive achievement

Oh and SCBU and NICU don't tend to be on the same ward - most likely different floors of the hospital - there would be no reason for a NICU parent to head a bell being rung in SCBU

I think it’s a terrible idea, is this really being introduced?

I’d politely refuse to do it.

My first son was in the NNU for 4 months. The NICU and SCBU were not far apart in the hospital we were at, just off the same corridor. It would have felt so insensitive to the other parents who are still going through hell to ring a bell.

Bad idea. I didn't ring the bell when my cancer treatment ended. How can you when there are people who are terminal and on palliative chemo etc.

There is no such thing as a private moment anymore, every emotion must be broadcast.

It’s not ok for babies or for cancer wards, my heart broke just a little more each time I heard that bell ring when DH was having palliative chemo

Terrible awful insensitive idea.

And I don't like the idea for end of cancer treatment either.

Everyone can celebrate end of treatment/being in remission in their own way, go for a meal, have a party, go on holiday, anything! The hospital could even discretely give them a card or something to signify the date.

Ringing a bell infront of or in earshot of patients who still have a long road ahead, or who might know they have no chance of ringing it is really insensitive and cruel.

It's especially sad because with cancer there are no guarantees the treatment will work, or that it won't come back again, so it's not like everyone will eventually get 'their turn' eventually. It's like a reminder that not everyone makes it through.

I think the idea of it giving hope is silly- people on NICU and cancer wards have very different prognoses and diagnoses. It's not like everyone is in the same position.

To my mind, being successfully treated for cancer or nursing a poorly or premature baby to independence are entirely down to whether you are lucky enough that medical science is equal to the nature and severity of the problem.

And of course very gruelling for all concerned.

Turning it into a lottery win celebration, or acting as if you have ‘won’ by ‘battling’ with sheer force of personality just seem inappropriate.

I do have experience of an extended stay in hospital with a newborn undergoing treatment. On leaving I felt exhausted, desperate to be home, and profoundly grateful to the staff and their skills and knowledge.

@TwittleBee I am so so sorry. I have been thinking about you as I think you are the poster whose neighbour stole your woodland? Someone said you were having a difficult time…. Love to you and your darling little boy.

I’ve never heard of SCBU being on a different level I’m sure it must depend on the building set up

I hadn't given any thought to it affecting other people. But I wouldn't ring it because I'd feel like it was tempting fate. Like the gods would take it as a challenge!

I work on nicu and never known a scbu being on a different floor. Certainly not in any hospitals near mine.
Our scbu is on the same corridor as nicu and staff alternate between both nurseries.
It's extremely naive to think babies don't die once they get to scbu because they do. We've had 2 in the past 6 months that have taken a turn in scbu, one was approx a week away from going home. Leaving scbu is also no party. These babies are so vulnerable to infection that a lot end up on the paeds wards days or weeks later with bronchiolitis and some end up very sick.
It's just not appropriate because the journey doesn't end at the scbu door, these babies are vulnerable for months or years. Some have permanent disabilities and life limiting health conditions.

Our city hospital rings bells (church bell style) whenever a baby is born. I think it’s beautiful.

No way, I've walked out of the maternity unit 5 times, four times it was with a baby in a carseat and one time I only had a sands leaflet and some footprints to take home

Aw, very sorry, @fudgecat. x

I wouldn't like it for any reason.

I remember the advert with the kid ringing the bell after treatment. Its wrong. Very wrong.