Grant Burton ( Secretary ) and James Mackman ( Treasurer ) from Mitre Lodge went along recently to York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity to present a donation from the Lodge to Community Fund Raising Manager Becky White for their Autumn Project.
The Autumn Project was launched by the specialist palliative care team to create special spaces for patients at the end of their life.
The first Autumn room was officially opened at Scarborough Hospital in 2022 and since then further rooms have been created across the Trust.
The spaces are homely in design, comfortable and provide loved ones with all the facilities they need while staying with the patient at this very difficult time.
Where wards do not have individual rooms available, York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity has funded bespoke Autumn themed privacy screens.
They are continuing to raise funds to provide further screens for York Hospital. These will be used in four and six-bed bays to create a private and peaceful space, making the healthcare team aware that the patient is at the end of their life.
End of life care is everyone’s business. Healthcare workers have an important responsibility to ensure patient wishes are met, and how the care is provided will remain in the memory of those who live on. There is only one chance to get it right.
The Autumn Project aims to improve the quality of care for patients and those important to them as they spend their last days together, as well as providing consistency of care across the wards. The aim of the project is to empower and equip staff with confidence so they can play their part in making a more positive experience for someone who is at the end of life.
With consent, an autumn leaf symbol is placed on the patients curtain or side room door so that everyone involved in their care can easily see that there are receiving end of life care. The Autumn Project encourages better communication, alerting healthcare teams that the patient or those important to them may need extra support at this difficult time.
The Autumn Project encourages ward staff to go the extra mile for patients, whether that is bringing a pet to be by their side, or arranging for them to enjoy their favourite tipple, sometimes these small gestures can have the biggest impact.
