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Five side rooms were refurbished using funding from East Kent Hospitals Charity and the QEQM League of Friends, and staff completed specialist training including shadowing hospice staff and our end-of-life team.
Their efforts were recognised in the recently published report into the hospital’s medical pathways, which rated the service as Good overall, and Outstanding for caring. Inspectors said the team “provided exceptional, compassionate care to patients and offered sensitive, practical support to families throughout their stay”.
Matron Julie Gammon said it was a privilege to be able to provide care to someone in their final days.
She said: “We value all feedback and are proud to work on a ward recognised for giving good care.
“End-of-life care has always been on the ward so we all had some experience but now, thanks to our charity and the League of Friends, the environment is more comfortable and homely.
“We make it as calm and quiet as possible, and the team have really been upskilled for their dual roles.
“It is just as important to give someone the ability to die with dignity and in comfort as it is to provide good care when someone is born.
“We get a lot of pride out of doing the best for our patients and their relatives.”
The ward team, led by ward manager Darren James, is split each day into palliative and acute. The Trust’s multidisciplinary palliative care team provide support and were also recognised in the CQC report for their responsiveness, expert education and clinical supervision.
Each side room has a mural with a different theme, as well as upgraded end-of-life beds, televisions, and recliner chairs for relatives. There is also a dedicated relatives’ room with access to hot drinks and snacks, and a refurbished office space for sensitive conversations. Families can also use the Beresford Suite, a self contained flat away from the ward. A memory tree honours the names of patients who had died on the ward, offering families a meaningful place to remember their loved ones.
The improvements were funded by a £23,000 grant from East Kent Hospitals Charity, and £8,000 from the QEQM Hospital League of Friends.
Head of charity Dee Neligan said: “We were delighted to be able to help the team realise their vision of providing exceptional care to palliative care patients, and it is excellent that the CQC have recognised this.
“The funding helped create serene and comfortable spaces, where family and loved ones can spend quality time with patients in their final days.
“We have also funded the 3 Wishes Project for the ward, allowing staff to grant personalised and meaningful wishes for those at the end of their life.”
The League of Friends funded televisions and blinds for the rooms.
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Every donation helps create better experiences, greater comfort and meaningful improvements where they matter most.
