Basel / On September 21, 2023, at 11:07 a.m., another healthy newborn was placed in the baby window at Bethesda Hospital in Basel. The little boy had been born a few hours earlier and is perfectly healthy. He is in competent hands in the maternity clinic at Bethesda Hospital. The Child and Adult Protection Authority Basel-Stadt was informed immediately. All the institutions involved in the baby window attach great importance to maintaining the privacy of the baby and the mother.

The baby window enables mothers in extreme emergency situations to anonymously hand over their child to safe medical care. This is intended to prevent child abandonment and infanticide, which have occurred time and again in the past. The baby window in Basel was set up by the Bethesda Hospital and the charitable foundation Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC-Foundation.ch).

The mother and father of the child have the right to reclaim the child until the adoption is completed. The child is returned to the mother or father, if the motherhood or fatherhood could be established beyond doubt and the conditions for the admission of the child are met. Adoption is only possible after one year of care and upbringing by adoptive parents. So far, 29 babies have been placed in baby windows in Switzerland.

4 August 2021 – Media release; Ministry of the Interior and Justice, Canton of Bern

On Tuesday, 3 August 2021, at 21:39, a new-born baby was placed in the baby hatch at Bern’s Lindenhof Hospital. The baby boy came into the world a few days before. He is in good health and will remain at the hospital temporarily for further medical observation.

The mother is encouraged to contact the Bern KESB (Child and Adult Protection Authority (Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde), Weltpoststrasse 5, phone 031 635 20 00, mail: info.kesb-be@be.ch, outside office hours: KESB emergency phone number 117), so that, with the help of specialists, the best solution can be found for the child.

The Bern KESB will establish legal guardianship for the child, give the child a name and look after the child’s accommodation. The privacy of both child and mother will be strictly protected.

Since the opening of the first baby window at Einsiedeln Hospital on May 9, 2001, the number of babies abandoned or killed in Switzerland has decreased significantly. The operators of the baby window have come to this conclusion based on an evaluation of all known cases since 1996.

All known cases of babies abandoned, found dead or left in a baby window were examined. Time intervals of five years were compared with each other. Since the first baby window was put into operation in 2001, the number of babies abandoned or killed has decreased by around 70%. Numerous lives have been saved as a result. The operators of the baby window attribute this positive development to the existence of the baby window.

On March 29, 2021, at 4:30 pm, a healthy newborn was placed in the baby window at the Lindenhof Hospital in Berne. The little girl, weighing 2838 g and being 50 cm long, had been born a few days earlier and was completely healthy. Her umbilical cord had been cut correctly. Her mother took the «Letter to the mother” with her. The baby remains in the hospital for a while for further medical clarifications. The Bernese Child and Adult Protection Authority was informed immediately. All the institutions involved in the baby window service attach great importance to ensuring that the privacy of the baby and the mother is protected.

The baby window enables mothers in extreme emergency situations to anonymously hand over their child to safe medical care. This is intended to prevent child abandonment and infanticide, which have occurred time and again in the past. The baby window in Berne was set up by the Lindenhof Hospital and the charitable foundation Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC-Foundation.ch).

The mother and father of the child have the right to reclaim the child until the adoption is completed. The child is returned to the mother or father, if the motherhood or fatherhood could be established beyond doubt and the conditions for the admission of the child are met. Adoption is only possible after one year of care and upbringing by adoptive parents.

On November 16, 2020, at 13:23 pm, another healthy newborn baby was placed in the baby window at Bethesda Hospital in Basel. The little girl had been born a few days earlier and is completely healthy. She remained in the hospital for a while for further medical clarifications. The Basel City Child and Adult Protection Authority was informed immediately. All the institutions involved in the baby window attach great importance to ensuring that the privacy of the baby and the mother is protected.

The baby window enables mothers in extreme emergency situations to anonymously hand over their child to safe medical care. This is intended to prevent child abandonment and infanticide, which have occurred time and again in the past. The baby window in Basel was set up by the Bethesda Hospital and the charitable foundation Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC-Foundation.ch).

The mother and father of the child have the right to reclaim the child until the adoption is completed. The child is returned to the mother or father, if the motherhood or fatherhood could be established beyond doubt and the conditions for the admission of the child are met. Adoption is only possible after one year of care and upbringing by adoptive parents. To date, 25 babies have been placed in baby windows throughout Switzerland.

On February 18, 2020, at 4.35 pm, another newborn baby was placed in a Swiss baby window. To protect those involved, the location where the baby was left will not be named for the moment. The baby is a healthy boy, weighing 3205 g and measuring 50 cm long. He was born just a few hours previously. The little boy remains in the hospital for the time being for further medical evaluation. The mother had written him a note with a few touching words. The local Child and Adult Protection Authority (CAPA) has been informed. A legal guardian has taken on the rights and responsibilities that biological parents are customarily subject to. This is the 24th baby that has been handed in since baby windows have existed in Switzerland.

This case is particularly topical, since only a few weeks ago, a newborn baby was abandoned in the Bernese Oberland and almost froze to death. In comparison, the mother in this case dealt with the situation caringly and ensured the baby would receive the best medical care by placing him in the baby window. Obviously, she felt she needed to hide her pregnancy and the birth and could not keep the baby.

The mother and father of the child have the right to reclaim the child until the adoption process is completed. This is conditional upon maternity/paternity being conclusively established and the conditions for assuming responsibility for the child being met. Adoption is possible after one year of guardianship and care by the prospective adoptive parents. Of the 24 babies so far placed in a Swiss baby window, in eleven cases the mothers are known because they came forward afterward. Four mothers wanted their children returned to their custody and their babies were returned to them accordingly.

The mother of the baby that has now been handed in can contact the local CAPA or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC, 24/7 hotline) to make contact with the child. She is assured total discretion. In addition, she can receive advice, material and financial aid free of charge from SAMC, to find the best solution for herself and her child.

The baby window is an offer of help in desperate situations, with the aim of avoiding child abandonment and infanticide. Since the opening of the baby windows in Switzerland, the number of abandonments and infanticides has statistically decreased by around 70%.

For the protection of all involved and in consideration of professional confidentiality, data protection and individual rights to privacy, no further details will be disclosed about this case.

You can find more information at www.babyfenster.ch/en.

Baby window is a joint project of public and private hospitals in Basel, Bellinzona, Bern,   Davos, Einsiedeln and Olten and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC) Foundation: For further information: www.babyfenster.ch/en

On 20 January 2019, at 06:20 a.m., a healthy newborn was once again placed in the baby window at the Bethesda Hospital in Basel. The little boy was born the night before and is completely healthy. He remained in the hospital for a while for further medical clarifications. The Basel City Child and Adult Protection Authority was informed immediately. All the institutions involved in the baby window attach great importance to ensuring that the privacy of the baby and the mother is protected.

The baby window enables mothers in extreme emergency situations to anonymously hand over their child to safe medical care. This is intended to prevent child abandonment and infanticide, which have occurred time and again in the past. The baby window in Basel was set up by the Bethesda Hospital and the charitable foundation Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC-Foundation.ch).

The mother and father of the child have the right to reclaim the child until the adoption is completed. The child is returned to the mother or father, if the motherhood or fatherhood could be established beyond doubt and the conditions for the admission of the child are met. Adoption is only possible after one year of care and upbringing by adoptive parents. To date, 23 babies have been placed in baby windows throughout Switzerland.

Press Release 27.8.2018

A healthy new-born was placed in the baby window at Einsiedeln Hospital at 11:24 a.m. on August 26^th, 2018. The little girl was born that very day and will remain at the hospital temporarily for further medical observation. The Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority has been informed immediately. A guardian is now assuming the rights and obligations that normally apply to the child‘s parents. Particular care is being taken to ensure privacy for the baby and the mother.

The mother of the child may notify the Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority (KESB) in Pfäffikon, Eichenstrasse 2, 8808 Pfäffikon, 041 819 14 60 / kesa@sz.ch or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation to establish contact with the child. She is assured of absolute discretion and unbureaucratic assistance in efforts to decide on the best solution for her and the child.

An offering of help in extreme situations
The baby window in Einsiedeln is a joint project of Einsiedeln Hospital and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation. The SHMK provides advice and direct assistance to women, couples and families in distress due to a pregnancy or childbirth situation. The baby window was set up as an offer of help in extreme situations, intended to prevent occurrences of infanticide and abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a hopeless situation, the baby window allows her to anonymously put the child into dependable hands.

The mother or father of the child has the right to reclaim the child until the adoption process is completed. This is conditional upon maternity/paternity being conclusively established and the conditions for assuming responsibility for the child being met. Adoption is possible after one year of guardianship and care by the prospective adoptive parents.

For further information contact:
Einsiedeln Hospital, Mirjam Panzer, Tel. 055 418 56 11

Press Release from the Basel-Stadt Child and Adult Protection Agency

On Thursday 21 September 2017, at 1.53pm, a newborn baby was placed in the baby window at Bethesda Hospital in Basel. The little boy is doing well under the circumstances. He will for the moment remain in the hospital’s care for further medical observation.

The mother is requested to get in touch with KESB Basel-Stadt Child and Adult Protection Agency, so that, with the help of specialists, the best solution can be found for the child.

KESB: Rheinsprung 18 in Basel; Tel.: 00 41 61 267 47 43; Email: kesb@bs.ch; outside office hours: KESB emergency phone number 117.

The Basel-Stadt KESB will establish legal guardianship for the child and look after the child’s accommodation. The privacy of the child and mother are strictly protected.

Note to editors:
To protect everyone involved and with a view to official and professional secrecy, data protection and personal rights, neither the Basel-Stadt KESB nor the Bethesda Hospital will provide more information on this case.

Notes:
KESB Child and Adult Protection Agency/Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde, Rheinsprung 18, Basel, Tel.: 00 41 61 267 47 43; Email: kesb@bs.ch; outside office hours KESB emergency phone number 117.

Press Release from the Child and Adult Protection Service (KESB) Berne
 
Baby Left in baby window of the Lindenhofspital in Berne

On Thursday 11 August 2016, at 11:00 am, a new-born baby was left in the baby window of Berne’s Lindenhofspital. The little girl came into the world on 10 August. She is healthy. She will remain in the hospital for further medical observation at the moment.



Notice to Editors

To protect everyone involved and with a view to official and professional secrecy, data protection and personal rights, neither the KESB Berne nor the Lindenhof Group or SAMC can provide more information on this particular case.
 


Communications Department of the Cantone of Berne (KomBE), Staatskanzlei
Telefon +41 31 633 75 91, Fax +41 31 633 75 97
kommunikation@be.ch, www.be.ch

Press Release 21.7.2016

A healthy new-born was placed in the baby window at Einsiedeln Hospital at 1:20 p.m. on 21 July 2016. The little girl was born that very day and will remain at the hospital temporarily for further medical observation. The Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority was immediately informed. A guardian is now assuming the rights and obligations that normally apply to the child‘s parents. Particular care is being taken to ensure privacy for the baby and the mother.

The mother of the child may notify the Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority (KESB) in Pfäffikon, Eichenstrasse 2, 8808 Pfäffikon, 041 819 14 60 / kesa@sz.ch or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation to establish contact with the child. She is assured of absolute discretion and unbureaucratic assistance in efforts to decide on the best solution for her and the child.

An offering of help in extreme situations
The baby window in Einsiedeln is a joint project of Einsiedeln Hospital and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation. The SHMK provides advice and direct assistance to women, couples and families in distress due to a pregnancy or childbirth situation. The baby window was set up as an offer of help in extreme situations, intended to prevent occurrences of infanticide and abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a hopeless situation, the baby window allows her to anonymously put the child into dependable hands.

The mother or father of the child has the right to reclaim the child until the adoption process is completed. This is conditional upon maternity/paternity being conclusively established and the conditions for assuming responsibility for the child being met. Adoption is possible after one year of guardianship and care by the prospective adoptive parents.

For further information contact:

Einsiedeln Hospital: Erika Neuhaus-Steiner, tel. +41 055 418 58 40
Swiss Aid for Mother and Child: Dominik Müggler, Tel. 061 703 77 70

Press Release 18.4.2016

Girl Given Up in Lucerne Cantonal Hospital

On 31 March 2016 at half past midnight, the night bell of the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital rang. When a hospital employee opened the door, she discovered a blue and white canvas bag. There was a new-born baby wrapped in a light green blanket in the bag. Police assume that the girl was abandoned just a few hours after her birth. The new-born’s health condition was excellent. On 2 April, the girl's mother reported to the police; for the sake of personality protection, no further details can be provided concerning the mother and the subsequent whereabouts of the baby.

Press Release 26.11.15

Working together with the foundation Swiss Aid for Mother and Child, Bethesda Spital opened a baby window on Thursday, 26 November 2015. It is the only one of its kind in the Basel region.

«The baby window provides help in extreme emergency situations. It makes it possible for mothers in desperate situations to anonymously place their child in safe hands», explains Dominik Müggler, president of the foundation. Bethesda Spital’s location in the Gellertquartier is ideal for the foundation in many ways. In addition to being geographically advantageous, Bethesda Spital's ultra-modern maternity ward is able to provide top care to the infants. «It is of great importance to us that the babies are lovingly nursed and cared for in the time that they are with us», explains Ute Richter, senior midwife at the maternity ward.

An alarm is triggered after 3 minutes
The mother opens the window and places the baby in the cot. The pressure of the baby’s body weight immediately activates a heating pad. A multilayered alarm system simultaneously sounds in the maternity ward. Both the opening of the window and a special light barrier located above the cot trigger an alarm after 3 minutes. A staff member then immediately arrives and checks the state of the child's health. If the baby is in good health, it will be placed in the care of foster parents within a few days and later with adoptive parents. The child’s mother then has at least one year to report to the child and adult protection authority in Basel to reclaim the child if need be. If the mother does not attempt to reclaim the child within this period, the child’s adoption can be completed. 16 babies have previously been placed in baby windows in Switzerland. In the majority of these cases, the mother later came forward.

No legal consequences

Mothers who place their babies in the baby window are neither guilty of abandonment pursuant to article 127 nor of violation of the parent’s welfare and education requirement pursuant to article 219 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

For more information, visit www.babyfenster.ch

If you have any questions, please contact
Alexandra Salvisberg, Director of Communications & Marketing, alexandra.salvisberg@bethesda-spital.ch, 061 315 21 40
or
Dominik Müggler, Swiss Aid for Mother and Child,
dominik.mueggler@shmk.ch, 061 703 77 70

Press Release, 14 September 2015

A healthy new-born was placed in the baby window at Einsiedeln Hospital at 7:11 p.m. on 11 September 2015. The little girl was born that very day and will remain at the hospital temporarily for further medical observation. The Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority was immediately informed. A guardian is now assuming the rights and obligations that normally apply to the child's parents. Particular care is being taken to ensure privacy for the baby and the mother.

The mother of the child may notify the Ausserschwyz Child and Adult Protection Authority (KESB) in Pfäffikon* or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation to establish contact with the child. She is assured of absolute discretion and unbureaucratic assistance in efforts to decide on the best solution for her and the child.

The baby is the 12th new-born to have been given up since the introduction of the baby window in Einsiedeln Hospital in 2001. Two babies were also placed in the recently introduced baby windows in both Olten and Bern. This brings the number of babies placed in Swiss baby windows to a total of 16.

*KESB Ausserschwyz, Eichenstrasse 2, 8808 Pfäffikon / 079 630 85 14 / kesa@sz.ch

An offering of help in extreme situations
The baby window in Einsiedeln is a joint project of Einsiedeln Hospital and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) Foundation. The SHMK provides advice and direct assistance to women, couples and families in distress due to a pregnancy or childbirth situation. The baby window was set up as an offer of help in extreme situations, intended to prevent occurrences of infanticide and abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a hopeless situation, the baby window allows her to anonymously put the child into dependable hands.

The mother or father of the child has the right to reclaim the child until the adoption process is completed. This is conditional upon maternity/paternity being conclusively established and the conditions for assuming responsibility for the child being met. Adoption is possible after one year of guardianship and care by the prospective adoptive parents.

For further information contact:
Einsiedeln Hospital: Reto Jeger, tel. 079 440 62 82
Swiss Aid for Mother and Child: Dominik Müggler, tel. 061 703 77 70

Press release 21 February 2015

On 19 February 2015, at 4.40 p.m., a healthy newborn baby was placed in the baby window at Einsiedeln Regional Hospital. The little boy was about three days old and will remain at the hospital for the time being for further medical examination. The child and adult protection authority for Ausserschwyz was informed immediately. A guardian will take on the rights and responsibilities that the parents of a child would normally have. In particular, care will be taken to protect the privacy of the baby boy and the mother.

The baby’s mother can get in touch with the child and adult protection authority (KESB) for Ausserschwyz in Pfäffikon* or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation to establish contact with the child. Absolute discretion and non-bureaucratic assistance is assured in order to find the best solution for both mother and child.

*KESB Ausserschwyz, Eichenstrasse 2, 8808 Pfäffikon, 079 630 85 14
kesa(at)sz.ch

Press release, 4 February 2015

On Wednesday, 4 February 2015, at 8.40 a.m., a newborn baby was placed in the baby window at Lindenhof Hospital in Berne. The little girl was born during the night of 3 to 4 February. She is in good health and will remain at the hospital for the time being for further medical examination. She is the thirteenth baby to be placed in a baby window in Switzerland.

The child and adult protection authority (KESB) for Berne was informed immediately. A guardian will now take on the rights and responsibilities that the parents of a child would normally have. In particular, care will be taken to protect the baby girl’s privacy.

The baby’s mother can contact the child and adult protection authority for Berne or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation. Absolute discretion and non-bureaucratic assistance is assured in order to find the best solution for both mother and child.

Offer of help in extreme circumstances
The baby window was set up to provide an offer of help in extreme circumstances. It is intended to help prevent infanticide or child abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a desperate situation, the baby window gives her the opportunity to place her child in safe hands anonymously.

Media release 4 August 2014

Solothurn – On the 3rd of August at 11:30 pm, a healthy newborn girl was placed in the baby window at the Cantonal Hospital in Olten. The girl was born a few days earlier and will for the time being remain in the hospital for further medical examinations.

The child and adult protection authority (KESB) Olten-Gösgen was informed. A legal guardian will now take on the rights and duties that the parents of a child normally have. In particular, special attention is given to ensuring privacy is maintained for the baby girl. 

The mother of the child can contact the child and adult protection authority Olten-Gösgen in Olten or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC). The mother is assured absolute discretion and unbureaucratic assistance, in order to find the best solution for her and the child.

Offer of help in extreme situations
The baby window in Olten is a joint project of the Solothurn Hospitals Ltd. (soH) and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC). SAMC provides advisory services and direct assistance to women, couples and families who find themselves in difficulty because of a pregnancy or the birth of a child.

The baby window was installed in order to provide an offer of help in extreme situations. It should help to prevent infanticide or child abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a seemingly hopeless position, the baby window provides her with the possibility of placing her child in safe hands in complete anonymity.

If the mother does not come forward, or if she does come forward and gives up the child for adoption, an adoption by the future parents is possible after one year.

Further Information for the Press:
Gudrun Hochberger, Director of Nursing soH, Tel. 032 627 44 04 or 079 385 84 58

Please note: No video or audio recordings are permitted to be made of the child or of the section of the hospital where the child is being taken care of. Outdoor shots of the baby window or interviews with the Director of Nursing are permissible.

18 July 2014

The Bellinzona and Valleys Regional Hospital (Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli, ORBV) has opened a baby window at its San Giovanni hospital, which will be available to the whole of Italian-speaking Switzerland. It is the result of a cooperation agreement between the cantonal hospital authority and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC). The initiative is intended to assist desperate mothers who find themselves unable to cope with their baby. The baby window is thus seen as a means to helping prevent the abandonment of new-borns. The project went ahead with the approval of the cantonal health and social services department.

The baby window allows a mother in serious difficulties to put the new-born in safe hands, while maintaining her anonymity. The hospital is thereby seeking to provide a humane alternative to a heart-wrenching separation. From a legal point of view, the mother is not committing any offence, as the child is not being abandoned, but entrusted to hospital staff.

Fostering, then adoption
The window was created by remodelling an external wall in the hospital's main access area. A mother wishing to leave her child opens it from the outside and puts the baby into the warm cradle within. After a few minutes to allow the mother time to get away, the alarm is triggered and the baby is taken in by the hospital staff. A few days later, it is put in the care of foster parents, with a view to subsequent adoption. The biological parents retain the right to take their child back until such time as the adoption goes through.

The decision to locate the baby hatch in Bellinzona can be explained by the fact that San Giovanni Hospital has Ticino's leading paediatric resources, comprising dedicated in- and outpatient treatment, together with surgical, oncology, orthopaedic, anaesthesiology and paediatric radiology departments. Moreover, as part of the new cantonal hospital plan, San Giovanni is undertaking a project for an advanced unit dedicated to neonatology and the long-term care of seriously ill children. San Giovanni is also the state hospital with the highest number of births in Ticino.

A solution already taken up by other Swiss cantons
The SAMC already operates four such baby window, in Einsiedeln, Davos, and Olten, and at the Lindenhof Clinic in Berne. A number of other cantons are planning to introduce facilities of this kind. In Switzerland, children are rarely abandoned in public places, but every such case causes public disquiet.

The initial investment for the baby window was provided by the SAMC, Basel, which is also taking responsibility for the running expenses and the cost of the care given to the children. The cantonal health authority should not incur any significant costs relating to the management of this new service.

Media release June 4, 2014

On 4 June 2014, at 2.15 pm, a healthy newborn was laid in the baby window at Einsiedeln Regional Hospital. The infant boy had been born the same day and will remain in the hospital for the time being for further medical examinations. The child and adult protection authority for Ausserschwyz was informed immediately. A custodian will take on the rights and duties that the parents of a child would normally have. In particular, special attention is given to ensuring privacy is maintained for the boy and the mother.

The mother of the child can come forward at the child and adult protection authority for Ausserschwyz, which is located in Pfäffikon[1], or at the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child Foundation to make contact with the child. Absolute discretion and unbureaucratic assistance is assured in order to find the best solution for both mother and child.

Offer of help in extreme situations
The baby window in Einsiedeln is part of a joint project between the Einsiedeln Regional Hospital and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child Foundation (SAMC). SAMC provides advisory services and direct assistance to women, couples and families who find themselves in need because of a pregnancy or the birth of a child. The baby window was installed to provide an offer of help in extreme situations. It is designed to help prevent infanticide or child abandonment. If a mother finds herself in a situation with no way out, the baby window gives her the opportunity to anonymously put the child into safe hands. Until adoption becomes official, the mother or father are entitled to ask for the child to be returned under the condition that maternity or paternity can be proven without a doubt and the conditions are right for returning the child. The child can be adopted after one year of care and upbringing.

For further information: Einsiedeln Regional Hospital,
Reto Jeger, Tel 055 418 51 11

[1] KESB Ausserschwyz, Eichenstrasse 2, 8808 Pfäffikon / 079 630 85 14 / kesa@sz.ch

Berne - On Friday 11 April 2014, at 12:01, a newborn baby was placed in the baby window at Lindenhof Hospital in Berne. The baby girl had been born a few days previously at full term. She is in good health and will remain at the hospital for the time being for further medical examination. She is the ninth baby to be placed in a baby window in Switzerland, and the first at the Lindenhof Group baby window.

The Berne child and adult protection authority (KESB) was notified immediately and will arrange guardianship of the child. A legal guardian has the same rights as a parent. The privacy of baby and mother are strictly protected.

The mother is urged to contact KESB Bern (Weltpoststrasse 5; tel. 031 635 20 00; e-mail: info.kesb.be@jgk.be.ch, outside office hours: KESB standby service on tel. 117) or the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC) so that the best solution can be found for the child. The SAMC will provide the mother with the necessary financial and social support free of charge so that she can have a future together with her child. The mother can also seek advice anonymously.

Joint project
The baby window is part of a joint project between the Lindenhof Group and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC). The baby window allows a mother who finds herself with no alternatives to give her child into safe medical care in complete anonymity. The service is intended to prevent child abandonment, of which there have been cases in the canton of Berne over the past few years.

Fourth baby window in Switzerland
A baby window was set up at Lindenhof Hospital, a private hospital run by the Lindenhof Group, in November 2013. It allows mothers to hand their newborn babies into safe care. The new baby window at Lindenhof is the fourth such amenity in Switzerland. Baby windows are already operating in Einsiedeln, Davos and Olten. The idea for baby windows came from the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC).

To protect all those involved and to comply with the requirements of official and professional secrecy, data protection and personality rights, KESB Bern, Lindenhof Hospital and SAMC cannot provide any further details about this specific case.
 

Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SHMK) is a charity providing advice and support to women, couples and families who find themselves in difficulty because of pregnancy or the birth of a child. www.shmk.ch 

The Lindenhof Group is the largest private hospital group in the canton of Berne and operates three hospitals: Lindenhof, Sonnenhof and Engeried. These three hospitals employ 2,200 members of staff and treat over 120,000 patients every year.

Press office of the Lindenhof Group
tel. (mobile) 079 616 86 32, 031 311 67 90
medienstelle@lindenhofgruppe.ch

Press Release 30 October 2013

Berne, 30 October 2013 – A baby window is opening at Lindenhof Hospital, a private hospital run by the Lindenhof Group, on 1 November 2013. It allows mothers to hand their newborn babies into safe care. The new baby window at Lindenhof is the fourth such amenity in Switzerland. The baby window is part of a joint project between the Lindenhof Group and the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC).

The baby window allows a mother who finds herself with no alternatives to give her child into safe medical care in complete anonymity. The service is intended to prevent child abandonment, which there have been cases of in the canton of Berne over the past few years. The Lindenhof Group actively campaigned for the provision of a baby window and has been discussing the possibilities with the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation for a long time. CEO of the Lindenhof Group, Jean-François Andrey, says: «We don’t want to see any more cases like those of the babies who were abandoned in Wimmis and Thun. A baby window like this can provide an alternative for mothers who see no other way out.» He adds: «As the largest private hospital group in the canton of Berne, the Lindenhof Group provides excellent gynaecological and paediatric care. The clearly laid-out hospital site and the good transport links make Lindenhof Hospital the ideal place to set up a baby window. In our view, the wellbeing of mother and child take priority over all ethical and political debate.»

Initiator: Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC)
Baby windows are already operating in Einsiedeln, Davos and Olten. The idea for baby windows came from the Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC). SAMC provides advice and support to women, couples and families who find themselves in difficulty because of pregnancy or the birth of a child. «We’re very pleased that a baby window has been set up at Lindenhof Hospital,» says Dominik Müggler, Chairman of SAMC. «The entire project was an excellent collaborative effort. We are very impressed with the dedication of the staff at the Lindenhof Group.» SAMC is funding the installation of the baby window and will also supervise the process that takes place after a baby is placed in the window. The hospital will be responsible for maintenance and staff training.

A baby in the window
When a baby is placed in the window and the window is closed, the mother has approximately three minutes to leave anonymously. Sensors then trigger a series of internal alarms. Two members of hospital staff will immediately take care of the baby. Inside the baby window at Lindenhof Hospital, there is equipment to provide immediate medical care. After immediate medical care has been provided, the hospital will notify the child and adult protection authority (KESB) and SAMC. A guardian is then nominated to take on the rights and duties relating to the child. This person also initiates the adoption process.

Inside the baby window the mother will find a letter explaining her rights. She is notified that she is not committing an offence by placing her child in the baby window. The letter also explains what her rights are. She has the right to claim her child back until such time as an adoption order has been enforced. Adoption may take place no earlier than one year after the child is placed in the hospital’s care. The Swiss Aid for Mother and Child foundation (SAMC) will provide the mother with the necessary financial and social support free of charge so that she can have a future together with her child. SAMC also provides anonymous advice.

The baby window at Lindenhof Hospital is easily accessible but discreetly located on the edge of the hospital grounds. All signposts on the site include the relevant sign and point to the baby window. 

Swiss Aid for Mother and Child (SAMC) is a charity providing advice and support to women, couples and families who find themselves in difficulty because of pregnancy or the birth of a child. www.samc-foundation.ch

The Lindenhof Group is the largest private hospital group in the canton of Berne and operates three hospitals: Lindenhof, Sonnenhof and Engeried. These three hospitals employ 2,100 members of staff and treat over 120,000 patients every year. 

Documents will be available from 10.30 a.m. at www.lindenhofgruppe.ch

If you have any queries about this press release, please contact the Lindenhof Group press office, tel. +41 (0)31 311 67 90. 

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