Charities Trust

For one day only, Ann will be shedding the goth look, dressing as Santa Claus and going for a 3 mile walk, all in public and in daylight! But it's all for charity folks!

Every year the Critical Care Unit, which is made up of Intensive Care and High Dependency sees over 1000 patients, many of whom are seriously ill or injured. The unit is desperately in need of a refurbishment to ensure that it meets with national standards and the NHS will be paying for this. However, after consultation with patients and staff who have experienced first hand the difficulties that currently exist within this area, we have launched an appeal called RELATIVE COMFORT. Its purpose is to raise £500,000 over the next 18 months to provide additional accommodation and counselling rooms to enable families to stay close to their loved ones.

Currently, families and loved ones often have to sleep in the corridor or on a chair next to the bed at what is often a very distressing time. Therefore, providing a comfortable “home from home” environment where relatives can return to the patient’s bedside at short notice will, we feel, provide psychological and practical support when it is needed most. In addition to this, a rest and relaxation area for families to use during the day will also be provided. Through Relative Comfort we want to be able to provide comfortable accommodation for families, so that they feel that they are cared for too and which enables them at the same time to be close at hand.

The design for the unit has been arrived at after consultation with out Critical Care Unit staff who have spoken about the difficulties arising when multiple people are involved in road accidents and where often there is a need to support more than one family. It will consist of:

2 x twin bedrooms, 2 x lounge areas for families, shared day space, 2 x counselling rooms

The main benefits of the new unit will include:

Families will be able to stay close at a critical time. Patients will have reassurance that their loved ones are nearby. People without access to cars, those from more rural areas or those with disabilities and unable to drive, will be able to stay closer and avoid travelling long hours. Counselling rooms which will provide privacy for grieving families. Communal, bright waiting areas which will be suitable for families with young children