A new initiative funded by Health Stars recieved national recognition by the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026 in the category of Palliative & End of Life Safety Initiative of the Year.
The Bleed Support and Care Box initiative was developed by staff at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and bereaved families is supporting people with end-of-life care for their loved ones. The initiative aims to support families who have a loved one living with the risk of experiencing a catastrophic bleed at the end of their life.
Catastrophic bleeds are thankfully rare, but where they do occur, they can be deeply traumatic for everyone involved. By providing families facing this possibility with a carefully thought out and practical box, containing items they would need in the event of their loved one experiencing this, they are giving that family peace of mind.
The initiative was developed working closely with people who had experienced this trauma. “Mum collapsed in my arms, covered in blood. We had nothing and I’ll never get that image out of my head.” Those words spoken by a bereaved family member to Jade Pickin, the Professional Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust led on to the creation of the Bleed Boxes.
Each Bleed Support and Care Box contains equipment such as a dark towel which can cover the visual impact of a bleed, a dark fleece blanket for warmth and comfort, as well as gloves, an apron and wipes for cleaning purposes. The box is accompanied with a leaflet which was coproduced with families who have experienced an event like this. Many of the boxes given out to families are not used but knowing they are there should they be needed is having a profound impact on those family members.
Families who have been involved with the initiative have praised it for providing dignity and compassion at such a difficult time in their lives. One family member said it gave them, “Peace of mind knowing if the worst were to happen, we had everything”. Another said, “The box and leaflet have really helped me feel less afraid and accept we’re not failing her”.
Jade Pickin, Professional Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care at the Trust said, “In moments of extreme distress, moving from helplessness to preparedness is profoundly valuable. Our initiative doesn't change the reality of the situation, but it changes how supported and capable families feel within it. We can't remove the grief, but we can reduce fear, uncertainty and feelings of helplessness. I am deeply proud that this has been recognised by the HSJ Patient Safety Awards.”
