24th June 2024
The Mater Hospital Supportive and Specialist Palliative Care Team have introduced kindness trollies and eight sleeper chairs to support carers, relatives and friends of patients who are nearing the end of their life.
The kindness trollies provide tea, coffee and toiletry items within rooms of patients for those who are sitting with their loved one, so they don’t have to leave their side for long periods of time. Furthermore, sleeper chairs serve a similar purpose in that families and friends can stay at their loved ones’ side whilst having comfort for themselves.
This initiative was implemented by the Mater Hospital Supportive and Specialist Palliative Care Team, alongside the site service manager, ward sisters and clinical nurse educator to show kindness and compassion towards patients’ families and friends during a very difficult time.
Funding for these items was kindly provided by the Mater Young Philanthropists Trustees and they were presented to representatives from each ward at the Mater Hospital on Monday 13th May 2024.
Jean Maguire, Nurse Lead for the Hospital Supportive and Specialist Palliative Care Team, said:
“This initiative shows kindness and compassion for families and friends during a very difficult time.
“In our experience, those who are there for our patients are reluctant to leave the side of their dying loved one to get refreshments during this time critical period. This also means they are sitting for a while in chairs, which may cause discomfort.”
Macmillan Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, Eleanor Middleton, said:
“The sleeper chairs will provide the comfort for those who will spend, somewhat, lengthy times at the side of their loved ones, showing they are being cared for too.
“The trolley is stocked with all the basics that the visitor needs, including tea, coffee and toiletries, to allow them to look after themselves, whilst being there for their loved one. The trolley is self-service and allows the user to access it at any time they need it.”
