Anne Byrne

Died: March 20, 2016

ANNE Byrne, who has died aged 73, was a nurse and campaigner who became one of the first bereavement midwives in the UK, offering support, guidance and hope to bereaved families throughout Scotland. She was also an impressive campaigner and fought hard to save the Queen Mother's maternity hospital in Glasgow from closure.

Born in Rathmullan, County Donegal, in June 1942, her family moved to Glasgow where she was educated at the Convent of Mercy School, Garnethill. She studied at Logan College of Midwifery, Johnstone, and by the age of 21 held her first sister’s post in Duke Street Maternity Hospital.

She also worked in oncology at The Western Infirmary with Professor Calman and for four years at Woodside Secondary school, where she was affectionately known to all as The Matron.

A return to midwifery then saw her become one of the first bereavement midwives in the UK and in the role she supported many families who lost babies through stillbirth or neonatal death (in which babies die within the first 28 days of life). She also led eminent obstetricians and midwives in improving bereavement care and worked with Glasgow Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

In my own case, my third son, Jasper, when scanned had no fetal heartbeat and in such unimaginable circumstances, Anne Byrne kept me going. It was a dreadful situation but Anne prepared me as well as possible for giving birth to my dead baby and his birth was just as important as the births of my other children. She made saying goodbye to our baby special. I was very lucky to have my two boys Kieran and Tony to come home to and my bonus a year later was the birth of my beautiful daughter Dominique, Anne’s godchild, who is now 18.

Bereaved mum Elaine Hamilton said: “Losing a baby late on in your pregnancy is a deep-seated pain I don't think I will ever be able to fully come to terms with and equally it is so hard to carry another baby after loss. Anne was amazing, she listened, never patronised, respected my position and helped me believe I could try again.

"When I got pregnant again, she understood how terrifying it was and ensured all the support I needed was available. Stewart and I will always be incredibly grateful for her involvement and the subsequent arrival of our beautiful daughter Emma.”

Her colleague Professor Alan Cameron ,vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said of her: “She was a great friend and colleague. She introduced me to Sands and was a true professional who provided much needed support to couples with tragic outcomes.”

Angela McCafferty, national chair of Sands, also expressed sadness at the loss of one of her organisation's finest supporters. From the beginning of Sands, Ms Byrne was instrumental in ensuring bereaved parents received support and had a central role to play in shaping the future of improving bereavement care. Those early foundations led the Scottish Government being the first to commit to setting targets to successfully reduce the number of stillbirths.

In 2004, Ms Byrne also became a central figure in the campaign to save the Queen Mum's hospital from closure. She became involved after Glasgow health chiefs voted to close the hospital despite warnings the decision could destroy joint services with Yorkhill Sick Kids. She was nominated in 2004 for the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year Award for her involvement in the campaign and her work in midwifery.

Anne Byrne suffered from diabetes and firstly lost her toes, then had to have a below ankle amputation followed by a below knee amputation, but within a matter of weeks she had returned to her all important life work looking after mothers at QMH. She also greatly supported mothers suffering from diabetes.

Her funeral at St Ninian's Church in Knightswood was attended by family, friends, colleagues and patients who all counted themselves fortunate to have had her in their lives. Each and every one present had their own story to share of her part in their lives.

Her grandson Mark spoke on behalf of her family. “She loved us all so much," he said. "Nana was a non-judgmental solution maker and we will miss her so much. She was loved by all and so brave and kind to everyone, never complaining about her ill health. We miss her so much.”

She is survived by her husband Bernard, daughter Margaret, son James and her grandchildren.

JEAN ANNE MITCHELL