Sarah Hopes, Ward Matron for the Donnington ward at West Berkshire Community Hospital, has come up with the thoughtful idea of sending a memory box to families who have sadly lost a loved one during the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19 has meant that visiting poorly relatives in hospital has not been possible and Sarah recognised how difficult this was, and wanted to reassure families that their relatives were not alone.
Each memory box contains a wooden heart with the patient’s fingerprint, a lock of their hair and a personal note from our nurses who directly cared for them.
Sarah’s team have also crocheted hearts which are sent to the next of kin, while one is kept with the patient.
Sarah said, “We’ve had such great feedback from families, saying how comforting and kind these boxes have been. The staff have also found it rewarding, as they feel that they are really making a difference during this difficult time.”
“One family wrote a lovely letter to the us, expressing their appreciation for the caring gesture and thanked all NHS workers for the selfless work they’ve been performing during these unprecedented times.”
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