Memory boxes have been created for patients nearing end of life and their families thanks to donations from The Forever Friends Appeal.

The boxes will be delivered to every ward at the RUH, including the ICU and Emergency Department during this year’s Dying Matters Awareness week (May 11-18).

Helen Meehan, lead nurse palliative care and end of life care said: “The coronavirus pandemic does present new challenges, but caring with compassion, kindness and respect are absolutely central to all that we do.

“Every patient matters and every family matters here at RUH Bath and we are so pleased to have the memory boxes.

“They will enable our staff to support patients nearing end of life and their families and we hope that the keepsakes and memories created will bring compassion, some connection and comfort.”

With the theme for this year’s Dying Matters week being ‘Dying to be Heard’, people are being encouraged to talk to their families, partners and friends and listen to their wishes if they want to talk about what is important to them.

The theme of this year’s Dying Matters week is ‘dying to be heard’, where people are encouraged to talk to their families and loved ones and listen to wish and what is important to them. Conversations like these can be hard, but they are important to have.

Helen added: “When a loved one wants to talk about nearing end of life, it’s really important that we enable them to say what is important to them and that we listen as it will bring a shared understanding of what matters to them at this time.”

The Trust has also introduced a ‘keeping in touch’ and ‘virtual visiting’ service by providing mobile phones on all wards so families can spend time with their loved ones if they are unable to visit.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic over 150 RUH staff have received palliative care training and new Covid-19 resources have been developed by the Palliative Care Team to support staff so they can provide compassionate end of life care.