Heartbeat July 2020

Memories really do matter…
Maintaining a sense of closeness to
family and loved ones during COVID-19
has been a recurring theme throughout
this pandemic. Recognising this, the
connected palliative care team has been
working hard to ensure that the quality
of care for palliative patients is not
compromised.
Understanding the pressures the pandemic
has placed on families to stay connected at
this difficult time, the team came up with an
innovative new way to keep families in each
other’s thoughts. Conscious that memories
matter even more when loved ones are
apart, the team devised the Memories Matter
project.
One initiative within the project is memorial
hearts. Pairs of fabric hearts with different
designs on each pair have been kindly
handmade by a volunteer. One half of the pair
is given to family members, and the other is
given to the patient and remains with them as
a symbol of love and as a keepsake.
Amber Ness, Macmillan Occupational Therapy
Assistant, told Heartbeat: “It is a privilege to
be a part of someone’s journey. Spending
quality time with and getting to know each
patient we are caring for; speaking to them
and their loved ones, hearing them reminisce
of times gone by is special. The hearts are
Amber Ness and Natalie Reeves pictured
with the portrait gifted from a patient’s
relative
a symbolic token, a gesture of togetherness
for those who aren’t able to be together at an
incredibly important time.
“The hearts have been well received. Relatives
have taken great comfort in knowing that their
loved one has its counterpart and that the
pairs are unique to them. We have even video
called relatives so that they can see their loved
one holding the same heart. They have been
so grateful to know their loved ones are not
alone.”
Natalie Reeves, Health Care Assistant, added:
PRIMARY CARE, COMMUNITIES
AND THERAPIES
“We have given out over 30 pairs of hearts
to date. We handwrite messages with
the heart that goes to the relative. Overall
we feel honoured to be able to provide
this service, it’s such a small gesture, but
the reaction of family and patients is
overwhelming and quite emotional.”
Families have been so touched by the
initiative that they have even found
special ways to share their thanks. Rachael
Hendrickson, Advanced Macmillan
Occupational Therapist, explained:
“Following the care of a patient at
Leasowes who has now sadly passed
away, their relative wanted to say thank
you for the care their loved one received.
As she was touched by the memorial
hearts gesture, she painted a portrait
of Amber and Natalie as a token of her
appreciation.
"We are proud of the Macmillan Therapy
Team. We would also like to thank
our Leasowes colleagues for working
collaboratively with the palliative care
service for the benefit of our patients
during this challenging period.”
Home comforts offer helping hand
to patients
Maureen Badger decided she want
to make a difference for our most
vulnerable patients by offering home
comforts during COVID-19.
Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner,
Maureen, approached her friends, families
and colleagues to donate anything they
felt would be beneficial to patients who
couldn’t see visitors due to the coronavirus.
“I asked all my friends, family members
and co-workers to give anything they could
spare. I wanted to improve the patient
journey for our Sandwell based patients
who couldn’t see any visitors as they usually
would due to the coronavirus pandemic,”
said Maureen.
“I came up with the initial concept after
feeling disappointed seeing patients not
having all the things they usually get
pleasure out of at hospital due to their
relatives and loved ones not being able to
visit them. I must thank my colleagues Fiona
Rowe and Cat Allen, who were a massive
help with this project.”
Maureen Badger and her physiotherapy
team – photo taken pre COVID-19 and
government social distancing measures/
guidelines
Due to the sheer quantity of generous
donations, Maureen, Fiona and Cat have been
able to make up goody bags for patients and
even deliver them to the most affected wards
and areas to bring some joy and comfort to
patients during these challenging times.
The positive news doesn’t stop there. Since
Maureen came up with the idea, many
colleagues have followed suit resulting
in even more patients getting home
comfort goody bags.
Francesca Hindle, Advanced
Occupational Therapist, works alongside
Maureen, Fiona and Cat and feels proud
to work with such generous colleagues.
She said: “I feel full of pride when I
think of Maureen, Fiona and Cat and
what they have done for our patients.
They have all helped facilitate so many
donations already which have resulted
in patients feeling more upbeat and
positive during these difficult times.
Hannah Jenns, Advanced
Physiotherapist, who also works with
Maureen, Fiona and Cat echoes these
thoughts and added: “They have all
gone above and beyond with Maureen’s
idea. They have even taken the time to
arrange doorstep drop-offs to collect
donations which just shows what great
people they truly are.”
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