Families with loved ones receiving end of life care at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital now have a peaceful space where they can access support, thanks to public donations.
A new Bereavement Suite was recently opened by Dr Kathryn Mannix, a renowned palliative care expert and author who has dedicated her career to changing the conversation around death and dying.
Reflecting on the significance of the new suite, Dr Mannix said: “We can’t make bereavement easy, but we can stop it from being traumatic. This is such a precious resource and I really hope it’s going to be preserved, treasured and strengthened.”
The Bereavement Suite was made possible thanks to fundraising through the hospital’s charity, ELHT&Me.
End of Life Bereavement Clinical Lead Nurse at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Joanne Gaskell, said: “The loss of a loved one is an incredibly sad time and we want to ensure that families experiencing this heartbreak have a peaceful, private and supportive space to grieve and talk with our team. Our new bereavement suite will make a significant difference in the care we provide.”
The End of Life and Bereavement Team at ELHT looks forward to using the new suite to provide families with a much-needed space during such a difficult time.
If you would like to support fundraising campaigns that are making a difference to patients at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust please visit https://www.elhtandme.co.uk/donate