OSCAR-WINNING actress Dame Helen Mirren took time out to remember her home town with a special message of support for Southend Hospital.

The message was sent by Dame Helen to mark the opening of the hospital’s new bereavement suite.

Read out by hospital chief executive John Gilham, it congratulated “all those very special people who have worked so hard towards creating the spacious and soothing area for newly-bereaved relatives”.

The suite, funded in part by a £30,000 grant from the Department of Health, has been designed to provide comfort and compassion for the newly-bereaved, in line with the Government’s end-of-life care strategy.

The hospital has worked closely with Southend Council so all the necessary formalities can be done in one place.

The suite, near the hospital main entrance, includes a registration service so relatives will be able to register the death at the same time as they collect the death certificate. Dedicated parking spaces are also provided just outside the door.

Dame Helen, who went to St Bernard’s High School in Westcliff, added: “We all lose loved ones at some time in our lives and often face that sadness in the context of a hospital.

“To do so in a loving and sympathetic environment is very important. I send you my thoughts and support.”

Wendy Warner, the hospital’s palliative care team services manager, said the main aim was to ensure that care does not stop at death and that families are supported in their early bereavement.

She added: “We want them to feel welcome and peaceful in a healing environment.”

The suite includes a spacious and comfortable seating area with drinks dispensers and a dedicated space where they can see the hospital’s full-time bereavement co-ordinator, Debbie Allman, who will advise and support them and return their loved one’s belongings.

Debbie said: “As a caring organisation, our support and help should not stop at death. Families and relatives need to feel supported at this distressing and bewildering time and that means providing them with a streamlined service in a tranquil and private environment.

“More than half of all local deaths occur in the hospital which means we care for up to eight bereaved families every day. They deserve the very best and we believe this beautiful new facility can provide just that.”