A little R and R! Rest and Relaxation in our newly renovated inpatients family areas

Following the refurbishment of our Wellbeing Centre, the family rooms on our inpatients ward have now also been given a magnificent makeover.

Everything was stripped back to bare floors, walls and ceilings before a total transformation took place in two inpatients visiting areas.

Inpatient Family Lounge

Our family lounge is now a light, ventilated and airy space overlooking the hospice gardens with a contemporary kitchen and seating areas where patients and their families can meet to have a cuppa, a read, or maybe have a catch up with other family members.

The new breakfast bar, tastefully part-screened off with modern wooden slats, tables and chairs, and some banquette seating (you may have seen similar on television’s Your Home Made Perfect) offers a range of comfortable, modern and relaxing settings.

A wall size, backlit photo-mural of the New Brighton lighthouse sets the room off spectacularly. It’s both a talking point and something that people might gaze at to become lost in thought or in evocative memories.

The open space can accommodates three or four family groups where they can meet to have some ‘me’, or ‘us’, time, help themselves to tea and coffee, pick up a magazine or even watch the 55” TV screen.

One family member told us,

“It’s such a lovely and welcoming space. It’s great to be able to take a break when we’re visiting. We can also visit dad ‘in’ the lounge at the right time which always feels a little bit like home from home.”  

Family overnight room

Also on our inpatients ward, this smaller room offers the opportunity for up to two people from one family to rest through the night.

Two state-of-the-art electronic recliners which raise their footrests while lowering their backs can be used for a restful sleep.

The refit has created a more contemplative space with a calming mix of blue in its wall paint and panelling.

There is a television set for use in the room and space for one or two items that may need to be stored to change into the next morning.

The en-suite toilet, washing and showering facilities have also been refitted meaning that people can feel more refreshed for the day ahead.

Again, tea and coffee are on-hand and a smaller table and chairs available to sit while enjoying a cuppa.

Lisa Glover, Clinical Services manager for the inpatients ward said,

“Anything that makes a stay or a visit on our inpatients ward more homely and comfortable is so welcome.

So, when the government made additional money available to hospices around the UK to invest in building work and other improvements we were delighted.

Both family rooms are now in use, and the team have received a number of heartfelt compliments already.

We must also thank Keystone Contracts who brought the vision of colleagues at the hospice, with the valuable input of patients and families, to fruition.

I’d also like to say a warm thank you to our whole Wirral community, individuals and organisations, for the support they give us all year round, to help us continue to provide our hospice services.”