A re-designed breakout space at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) has provided much needed comfort to critical care patients, their families, and staff, during the pandemic, giving a glimmer of normality to those who otherwise would not be able to leave the ward.
The space, called the ‘T Garden’, has been recently redeveloped to improve the environment for patients, and to say a big thank you to the critical care team for all their hard-work this year.
The new design, which has been funded by the hospital’s charity, ELHT&Me, includes a memory garden with butterflies where patients, families and staff can leave messages, as well as some seasonal decorations such as a Christmas tree and fairy lights, to tie in with the festive period.
Denise Gee, fundraising manager for ELHT&Me, said:
“It was fabulous to work with our Estates and Facilities team, ENGIE, Consort and many others to achieve such a beautiful space for patients and to say thanks to our staff.”
The garden can be used for patients on critical care to spend some much needed time outdoors this Christmas, as well as a breakout space for staff working on the ward to take themselves away from the pressures of work.
Allison Duerden, Divisional Director of Nursing in Surgery and Anaesthetics at ELHT, said:
“The T Garden means so much to patients who are in hospital for lengthy periods of time, including patients on critical care. Initially the garden didn’t have a roof or any form of heating so it was sometimes difficult to optimise the use of the area, but now we have both of these and more, it’s a great space to use. I was nearly brought to tears watching a patient hug his beloved dog which he hadn’t seen for months – I am truly grateful to all the team who have made this space a reality.”
