What makes UHDB a 'good place to die' - Dying Matters Week 2021
Dying Matters Week 2021 focuses on the importance of being in ‘a good place to die’ with members of Team UHDB reflecting on what this means to them and how they have ensured this for patients at the end of life.
Where people die is changing, with statistics showing that 28 per cent of those who died in 2020, did so in their own home. We know as a provider of care to more than one million people that we have seen more death the past year than we could have ever anticipated. While people’s preferred place to die may be at home, Covid-19 has meant that this isn’t always possible.
Our clinical teams across UHDB have been going above and beyond for patients at the end of life and their families, often in the most challenging of circumstances.
One of the initiatives that has been implemented has been the virtual visiting service, where a ‘virtual visit’ via video call can be arranged for patients to speak to their loved ones to aid their wellbeing. Written messages have also been delivered to patients on our wards from friends and family across our hospitals.
All wards were supplied with wooden olive hearts for patients to hold while they were in hospital, which were then given to families after they died. The hope was that this gesture provided some comfort to the patient's family, with the hearts then being placed in an organza bag for them to take home with them in memory of their loved one. We have also kindly been donated pairs of knitted hearts by some of our volunteers to use in the same way as a keepsake to offer some comfort.
Jane Moreland, End of Life Care Facilitator, said: “Whilst our hospital may not always be a person's preferred place, UHDB is a good place to die. Often, when people are asked about 'preferred place' many people will say 'home' but sometimes this is not an option. Home is a feeling not a place, so the work our team has done to provide that 'home feeling' has made our hospitals as close to the preferred place as possible.
“Despite our recent challenges and sometimes sad experiences, I really feel that everyone has done an exceptional job in caring for patients at the end of life over the past year. You have shown resilience in the face of adversity, you have adapted to ever changing situations and you have supported the loved ones of those patients you care for who cannot visit. We need to remind ourselves and our colleagues of this and acknowledge the many times that you have gone above and beyond during someone's final days or hours of life.”
Cathy Winfield, Executive Chief Nurse, said: “The way that Team UHDB has reacted to the pandemic has been nothing short of incredible, especially in the care they have offered to patients at the end of life. The care and compassion our staff show is always clear to see, but the way they have adapted to continue to go above and beyond to show this to our patients in the most challenging of circumstances has been inspiring.”
Throughout Dying Matters Week, we will be bringing you accounts from colleagues across the Trust about how they have ensured our hospitals are a ‘good place to die’ through various initiatives and demonstrating compassion to our patients and their families.