Tenerife Hospitals Introduce 'Cuddle Cots' to Support Grieving Families

Public hospitals in Tenerife have introduced specialized cooling devices to provide more compassionate care for families experiencing the loss of a baby. Known as "cuddle cots," these units allow parents to spend more time with their children in a private, intimate setting, helping to ease the trauma often associated with hospital environments.

This initiative was made possible by a community-led fundraising campaign organized by the family of a child named Romeo, in partnership with the association El Legado de Oliver. The equipment has now been installed at both the Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) and the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.

This move reflects a broader shift within the national healthcare system toward prioritizing emotional support alongside clinical care. At the HUC, the use of these cots is part of a wider strategy that includes dedicated bereavement spaces, memory boxes, and specialized staff training. The hospital also works with organizations like AFES Salud Mental, COMETA, and APREMATE to provide ongoing support for grieving families.

Similarly, the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria has updated its protocols to ensure complete privacy for families, with continued support provided through primary care teams. By introducing these devices, both hospitals are moving away from traditional, clinical approaches to recognize perinatal grief as a deeply personal experience that requires sensitivity and care.