Our Memorial adult inpatientward is located within Whitby Community Hospital at the heart of the community. Its purpose is to provide a service which maximises the patient’s ability to live as independently as possible and get them back to the most appropriate setting when it is safe to do so. The 16 bedded ward can also provide palliative care and symptom management, and end of life care where hospital it is their preferred place of care.
In November 2023, staff from the ward submitted a Wish to Health Stars requesting funding for Christmas presents for patients who would be on the Ward on Christmas Day. “Many of our patients may not have relatives or visitors who can provide a present for them at Christmas” said Sister Davies, Charge Nurse for the Memorial Inpatient Ward.
“We try to make Christmas Day special for those people who have to spend it in hospital. Last year we wanted to provide a smallgift to help promote our patients’ wellbeing at a time of year that can be lonely and difficult for some patients to cope with. This is particularly important for those patients who may have experienced loss and bereavementand may not have family members or friends left to be around them.
“Also, the team felt it was important to mark the festive holiday with a small giftas some of our patients may be in the end days of life. We believe this is an essential part of treating patients with sensitivity and compassion.This is of particular importance to the staff as we really pride ourselves on knowing our patients as individuals and providing individual holistic care to them.
The gender-neutral gifts, which consisted of socks and chocolates, were delivered to the patients on Christmas Day by a member of staff.
“The benefits of having these gifts to give out have not just been on the patients. For staff who work on Christmas Day this small gesture makes working this festive day a much more joyful, positive experience.”
Providing these small gifts to patients is part of Health Stars mission to help our patients feel as comfortable as possible during their time in hospital.
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Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash
