Colleagues at London Road's Ward 2 reflect one year on since ward opened
Staff on Ward 2 UHDB’s End of Life care ward have been reflecting on how they have made their ward a ‘good place to die’ for Dying Matters Week 2021.
The awareness week this year focuses on the theme of ‘a good place to die’ as national statistics show that more and more patients are spending their final days in their own home. Covid-19 has meant that this isn’t always possible, and the team on Ward 2 has continued to go above and beyond to provide compassionate end of life care.
Ward 2 at London Road Community Hospital opened in January 2020 and is a 14 bed ward which provides end of life care for those individuals in the last days/weeks of life, as well as offering a rounded package of holistic care to both patients and their families.
Dawn Wilkinson, Senior Sister said “We’ve had over 450 patients admitted to Ward 2 for end of life care since we opened in January 2020. We encourage all of our families to talk openly about death and dying and ask questions”.
“When patients arrive, they have already had a conversation about why they are being transferred to Ward 2, we provide a positive approach to this and staff have worked hard to create a light, bright and welcoming atmosphere”.
Sister Clare Hicklin added: “We’ve ensured that the Ward is spacious and homely for patients and their families, we believe in the ethos of a celebration of life. Staff on the ward ensure birthdays and special occasions are celebrated. We have a celebration box filled with decorations to personalise the special day and are prepared for any occasion including weddings.”
Involving the families of the patients is also a crucial part of the work the Ward 2 team does. Relatives are kept informed at all times and are involved in meetings. The team have ensured that family support has continued despite the pandemic.
Donna Warsop, Registered Nurse, explained: “We have a meeting called ‘Tea at Two’ every day where we all gather and have a cup of tea and discuss anything that’s on our minds. That could be our personal experiences, checking in that we’re all okay, and sharing best practice and provide education. This really supports staff’s health and wellbeing.
“We have maintained compassionate visiting throughout the pandemic which relatives have found extremely beneficial.”
The ward has also taken steps to ensure that patients from all faith groups have the help and support that they need during the final stages of their life.
Dawn said: “Members of the Muslim community have come to speak with us so that we could further understand the needs of families who follow Islam, and we have prayer cubes that play Sikh and Muslim prayers, as well as books of faith. We hope to continue working with other faiths now lockdown is easing.”
There is also a newly refurbished outdoor space with an accompanying garden room on the ward, which allows patients to get some fresh air and relax in a comfortable, homely setting with music, books and television, all helping to ensure that the end of the patient’s life is as relaxing as possible.
Clare Ward, Sister, said: “We very much have a family feeling and we all support each other, both within the team and across the Trust. There’s a real sense of community here at London Road and we have really tried to embed that into everything we do here on the ward.”
“It is the positivity that surrounds the ward that staff believe makes Ward 2 ‘a good place to die’.”