END of life patients and their loved ones have a new peony-themed quiet place at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. 

After two years of planning the new Peony Room in the hospital is open to use as a quiet and calming place for families.

The peony room is away from the busy ward environment and offers visitors and patients refreshments and toiletries.  

The mural of peonies on the wall uses pastel colours and was created by Chalk it Up.

Bereaved families had highlighted there was a lack of space for relatives and loved ones to go and have some time for themselves.

Worcester News: Worcestershire Royal Hospital - new peony roomWorcestershire Royal Hospital - new peony room

Paula Gardener, chief nurse officer at Worcestershire Hospital acute NHS Trust, said: "This is a great room for supporting our patients and we have a booking system and they have some space for reflection.

"It's quite a difficult feeling when someone is end of life."  

Avril Adams, lead nurse specialist palliative and end of life care team, said: “We are delighted to be able to introduce the new Peony Room for the relatives of some of our seriously ill patients.

Worcester News: Worcestershire Royal HospitalWorcestershire Royal Hospital

“Death and dying is very difficult to deal with, but helping patients and those people important to them at their time of greatest need is hugely important to us.

"Providing these new facilities demonstrates our dedication to supporting our patients and the people most important to them at one of the most distressing of times.

”Our patients often worry about how their loved ones are coping even when they are receiving treatment, the new facilities will help bring great comfort to our patients that we are providing holistic care for people most important to them too.”

 

Sophie Burt, head of fundraising and community development for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals charity, added: “Our charity is committed to providing those added extras that improve the experience for everyone using or providing services.

“We are thrilled that we are able to support such a fantastic project, which not only focuses on putting patients first but also helps to improve the experience of the people most important to them.

Worcester News: Alice Ferguson, Palliative and end of life care (EOLC) team, Paula Gardner Chief Nursing Officer, Avril Adams, Lead Nurse, Palliative and EOLC team, Juliette Fleming, End of life care facilitatorAlice Ferguson, Palliative and end of life care (EOLC) team, Paula Gardner Chief Nursing Officer, Avril Adams, Lead Nurse, Palliative and EOLC team, Juliette Fleming, End of life care facilitator

“We would like to thank all of our supporters for their donations, of both money and items, for these projects that make a real difference to our patients."